A Thunder Bay forward is one step away from playing on the National stage.

The soon-to-be 20-year-old Travis Hensrud and his Steinbach Pistons open the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) final on home ice Friday against the Dauphin Kings.

The Pistons needed six games to knock out the Virden Oil Capitals while the Kings advanced with a five game victory over the Winkler Flyers.

“Steinbach is such a great community, it’s really hockey-focused,” said Hensrud. “It’s awesome to see everyone in town rooting and cheering us on. I know that a few die-hard fans will even make the trip up to Dauphin as well, it’s cool to see.”

The Pistons and Kings met three times in the regular season with both clubs winning on home ice, while the Kings skated away with a 6-2 victory in Portage at the end of November.

Hensrud knows the Kings will be a tough opponent, adding “They are a good team. They have some big guys on the back end, but I believe with our speed we can match up well with them.”

The Turnbull Cup winner will take part in the Centennial Cup, which will begin Thursday, May 19th in Estevan, Saskatchewan.