The Winkler Flyers scored four goals in the second period on their way to a 6-3 win in Swan Valley on Saturday night, earning their second straight win against the Stampeders. Former Stampeder Justin Svenson led the way with a goal and two assists for the Flyers who moved back over the .500 mark.
After starting their weekend road trip with a 3-2 overtime win in Swan River on Friday, the Flyers took on the Stampeders for the second straight night looking for another two points. Getting off to a good start has been key this season for the Flyers as they came into the game with a 5-0 record when scoring first, but an 0-5 record when they don’t.
The first period was an entertaining 20 minutes of hockey which saw the home team score first and take their 1-0 lead into the first intermission. The Orange and Black tied the game early in the second and took control of the game with three more goals in the middle frame.
The second period started with a goal by Flyers’ Assistant Captain Griffin Leonard just over two minutes into the period. Trent Sambrook and Jaden Townsend assisted on Leonard’s fifth of the season and the game was tied 1-1. Midway through the period the Flyers scored again to take their first lead of the night. It was Jayden McCarthy and Riley Cusask who assisted on Justin Svenson’s fourth of the season. The assist increased McCarthy’s point streak to five games. However, just 37 seconds later Swan Valley replied with a goal of their own and the game was tied 2-2.
Then with 4:25 left before intermission, Sulivan Shortreed swatted a puck out of mid air and into the back of the net on the power-play to move Winkler back in front 3-2. Justin Svenson and Jaden Townsend assisted on Shortreed’s team leading and league leading ninth of the season. Just over a minute later Bryce Krauter tipped in a Drake Burgin point shot and Winkler’s lead had grown to 4-2. Mateo Albinati also assisted on Krauter’s first of the season. The Flyers four goal outburst in the second period allowed Winkler to take a two goal lead into the final frame.
Midway through third period the Stampeders went on the power-play and cut Winkler’s lead to 4-3. But before that goal could even be announced the Flyers got it right back. After a flurry of chances around the Stampeders’ net, rookie defenseman Campbell Ens snuck in from the blueline to score his first MJHL goal to put the Flyers in front 5-3. Jayden McCarthy and Justin Svenson picked up the assists.
Winkler added their sixth goal of the game when Griffin Leonard scored into the empty Stampeders’ net on the power-play in the final minutes and the Flyers would skate away with a 6-3 victory.
Dylan Meilun picked up the win in net making 34 saves. Both teams finished the night with 37 shots. Winkler went 2-for-4 on the power-play and 2-for-3 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers (6-5-0) will conclude their weekend road trip on Sunday night in Virden (6-6-2). Puck drop at Tundra Oil and Gas Place is 7pm with Matt Friesen’s pregame show on Country 88 and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com getting underway at 6:55pm. You can also video stream the game with a subscription to www.hockeytv.com