It's been seven years since the Neepawa Natives last made the Manitoba Junior Hockey League playoffs. They broke that streak last night with their 6-3 win over Swan Valley in Neepawa.

"The boys really deserved it," says General Manager Myles Cathcart. "They've been playing great for quite some time now, and we're undefeated at home for like seven or eight games and they're really on a mission. Super proud of the players, the coaching staff and everybody. It was packed in the arena last night with all the fans out and I'm sure they're looking forward to playoffs."

The last time Neepawa saw playoff hockey was the 2009-10 season when they fell to the Dauphin Kings in the Quarter-final. Their last playoff series victory came over Portage in the 2006-07 Quarter-final.

The Natives finished in the eighth and final playoff spot this year and will go up against the dominant Steinbach Pistons in the first round. They managed to beat the Pistons once this season, and hopefully, they can do it a few more times in the postseason.

"Steinbach is a tough opponent with a tough barn to play in," adds Cathcart. "I'm excited for tonight, but tomorrow it's back to business because they're a great team. It'll be a challenge but we're up for it." 

We'll have a full playoff preview up at Portage Online Monday.