The Winkler Flyers had an offensive explosion on Tuesday night, beating the defending MJHL champion Portage Terriers 9-3 at the Winkler Rec Complex. Nolan McGuire and Gino Lucia both scored three times to help the Flyers end the Terriers seven game winning streak while winning their third in a row.
Returning home after scoring 13 goals in their last two games on the road, the Flyers welcomed the Terriers for their first meeting of the season. Home ice had not been kind to the Flyers so far this season, winning just one of their three games played in Winkler.
After goaltender Cole Weaver and the rest of the Flyers weathered the Terriers offensive pressure in the first 10 minutes of the game, the Orange and Black started generating some chances of their own. With 8:51 remaining in the first period, Nolan McGuire found rookie forward Gino Lucia in the slot and the St. Cloud, Minnesota native picked the top corner on goaltender Brock Aiken to put the Flyers on the board first.
The Flyers lead was short lived though, as the Terriers tied the game just 40 seconds later. Before the end of the first, Winkler took the lead back with Scott Gall’s ninth of the year, set up by a nice pass from Ian Mackey and the Flyers took a one goal lead into the first intermission, despite being outshot 15-8.
The second period belonged to the home team as the Flyers added four more goals in the middle frame. Just past the halfway point of the second, Nolan McGuire scored his first of three on the night to push Winkler ahead by two. Just 14 seconds later, Tyler Jubenvill scored his third of the year to give Winkler a 4-1 lead. Scott Gall and Coltyn Bates drew the assists.
With 2:07 left in the second, Lucia skated into the Terriers’ zone and scored his second of the night and the Flyers had a 5-1 lead. Winkler wasn’t done there as Nolan McGuire put home his second with a short handed marker with just seven seconds to play before the break.
Leading 6-1 early in the third period, the Flyers allowed two quick goals to see their lead cut to 6-3 with just under 12 minutes to play. Winkler would snuff out any hope of a Portage comeback with three more of their own before the end. First, it was Nolan McGuire who finished off a beautiful pass from Will Blake and the Winkler native had scored his third of the game. It was a banner night for McGuire, who finished the game with three goals and two assists.
Minutes later, Scott Gall scored a power-play goal for his second of the night and the Flyers were in front by five. It was Gall’s fourth point of the game. The Flyers had one more goal in them on Tuesday, and it came from Gino Lucia who scored his third of the game on the power-play with 2:20 left on the clock, making the score 9-3 for Winkler.
Lost in the offensive outburst was the play of goaltender Cole Weaver, who made 30 saves improving his record to 5-1. The Terriers outshot the Flyers 33-32. Winkler went 2-for-5 on the power-play and 6-for-6 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers (8-3) will continue their three game home stand with a pair of games this weekend against the OCN Blizzard. The first Petro Canada Black Friday event will take place Friday, October 21st where the Flyers will wear their new black uniforms during the game. You can also sign up at the lobby table to participate in the Petro Canada Shoot To Win, with the winners receiving a $100 Gift Card courtesy of Petro Canada in Winkler.
GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1st Star – Nolan McGuire (Winkler)
2nd Star – Gino Lucia (Winkler)
3rd Star – Tyler Lindstrom (Winkler)
NOTE: The Flyers have assigned F Brendan Keck (98) to the Pembina Valley Twisters (MMJHL).