Flyers forward Scott Gall scored 2:18 into overtime as Winkler edged the Winnipeg Blues 3-2 on Tuesday night extending their winning streak to four games. It was the second meeting of the season between two of the top clubs in the MJHL with both games being decided in extra time.
Entering the game on a three game winning streak, the Flyers were trying to improve on their 7-0-4 record in the month of October. The Flyers lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Blues in Winnipeg back on October 7th. Winkler scored late in regulation to tie the game that night only to lose in the shootout. Tuesday’s game followed nearly the same script only with the two teams changing roles.
After a scoreless first period, Liam Bilton gave the visiting Blues a 1-0 lead, 1:16 into the second. Now trailing, the Flyers went on the power-play midway through the period looking to tie the game. With 8:24 remaining in the period, Bryce Enns took the puck behind the net, swung it out in front and fired a wrist shot short side, tying the game at one. Zak Hicks and Brett Klassen picked up the assists on Enns’ second goal of the season.
The two teams skated into the second intermission tied 1-1 with the Blues outshooting the Flyers 27-19 through 40 minutes.
The Blues played the bulk of the third period in the Flyers zone, but Winkler was able to capitalize on one of the few chances they got in the period. In the midst of a goal mouth scramble with just over 10 minutes left in regulation, rookie forward Kayden Jarvis slid home his first Flyer goal pushing Winkler ahead for the first time in the game. Scott Gall and Lawson McDonald assisted.
With their goaltender on the bench and the extra attacker on the ice, the Blues went looking for the last minute equalizer. With 50 seconds to play, the Blues managed to deflect a shot past Dasan Sydora, tying the game 2-2 and pushing the game into overtime.
With just one win in five trips beyond regulation this season, the odds were not in the Flyers favor.
After a back and forth opening few minutes, Scott Gall took a beautiful cross ice pass from Nathan Karlowsky in the Blues zone and picked the top corner, giving the Flyers the extra point and the 3-2 victory. Brett Klassen also drew his second assist on the night on Gall’s fifth of the season.
Dasan Sydora (8-1-1) was sensational again in goal for the Flyers making 40 saves in his fourth straight start. The Blues outshot the Flyers 42-24 overall, 14-3 alone in the third period. Winkler went 1-for-4 on the power-play and held the league’s best power-play off the board going 5-for-5 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers (12-2-4) will travel to Winnipeg (8-2-5) to play the Blues on Thursday night. The second place Flyers now lead the third place Blues by seven points in the standings. Winkler also trails the first place Portage Terriers by only four points. Following that game, Winkler will return home to host the Waywayseecappo Wolverines on Friday (7:30pm) and Sunday (2:30pm). Thursday’s game can be heard live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com with Matt Friesen’s pregame show getting underway at 6:55pm.