Not every win is going to be a 'pretty' one. The Neepawa Natives proved that last Wednesday night when, despite being outshot 57-26 by the Steinbach Pistons, they were able to escape with a 2-1 win thanks in large part to some great goaltending and a pair of powerplay goals. Steinbach 1 – Neepawa 2 Wednesday night at the Yellowhead Centre in front of a crowd of 350 people Steinbach kept the puck in Neepawa's end for the majority of the game, bombarding goaltender Corey Koop with 57 shots. It was the Natives who were able to score first though, when Troy Hoban scored with the man advantage 14 minutes into the game. Steinbach tied the score at 1-1 about 14 minutes into the second period, when Kurt Johnas put away a shot from close in. Steinbach registered 23 shots in the second period, only three less than Neepawa put on the Pistons net all night. However, the 'No-Quit' Natives struck again midway through the third period when Derrick Brooks scored on the powerplay off a pass from Robbie Moar to clinch a 2-1 win for Neepawa. Drake Lindsay, Riley Pace and Justin Dalebozik also got assists on the night. Other scores from the weekend weren't available prior to an early press deadline last Friday. Coach's Corner The win against Steinbach gives Neepawa a two-win, three-loss record early in the season, something assistant coach Cam Tibbett can live with considering his team has put themselves in a position to win many of the games thus far. “We have a 2(win)-3(loss) record, but we could easily be 3-2 or even 4-1 because those games have been close,” Tibbett said. “The effort has been good and our goalie has been outstanding. We have to clean up a few things still...but those things will come.” One of those struggling points for the Natives has been their play in front of their own net. Neepawa has allowed 237 shots on goal in only five games, an average of just over 47 shots against per game. “We need to improve on our 'D'-zone coverage,” Tibbett said. “Another one is our turnovers, we're giving away scoring chances right now. If we can eliminate those turnovers that will make a big difference.” Meanwhile, part of Neepawa's success this season has come from its play with the man advantage. As of Friday, the Natives have the third-highest powerplay per centage in the league and are scoring – on average - on one of every four powerplays. “Our powerplay's been good. We've got lots of skill so we have to get on the powerplay because that's where we've been able to take advantage of it,” Tibbett said. After opening the season with five games at home, Neepawa played in Winnipeg over the weekend against Portage and Winnipeg. The team heads to Virden Thursday for their inaugural match against the Oil Capitals before returning to the Yellowhead Centre to host Dauphin Friday night (7:30 p.m.) and Wayway Sunday at 6:30 p.m. "Some can say you can tell what kind of attendance you can expect for the year based on your home opener. For some teams, they have reason to be optimistic...The Neepawa Natives, who have endured so much despair in recent seasons, packed 801 fans into their arena on opening night." -Derek Holtom, MJHL Report The Russell Banner Oct. 2, 2012 - 2012 MJHL Home Opener Attendance (1) Dauphin Kings - 1,460; (2) Virden Oil Capitals - 1,446; (3) Neepawa Natives - 801; (4) Swan Valley Stampeders - 778; (5) Selkirk Steelers - 719; (6) Portage Terriers - 715; (7) Steinbach Pistons - 692; (8) OCN Blizzard - 570; (9) Winkler Flyers - 552; (10) Wayway. Wolverines - 450; (11) Winnipeg Blues - 403 *As according to stats on MJHLhockey.ca