The Steinbach Pistons returned the favor on Saturday night, beating Winkler 6-2 in the Flyers regular season home opener. Just like Winkler did the night before in Steinbach, the Pistons managed to spoil the party and hand the Flyers their first loss of the season.
Looking to build upon an impressive 5-2 win in Steinbach in their first game of the regular season, the Orange and Black welcomed the Pistons for the second half of their home and home to kick off the 2015-2016 campaign.
Like they had done in nearly every game so far this season, the Flyers scored the game’s first goal. Just before the four minute mark of the opening period, Scott Gall took a pass from Zak Hicks on the power-play and potted the puck into the top of the net for his third goal already this season.
Steinbach would draw even before the end of the period and the two teams skated into the first intermission tied 1-1. The Pistons had a narrow 10-9 lead on the shot clock through 20 minutes.
Winkler stumbled out of the gate in the second, allowing Steinbach to extend their lead to 3-1 before the period was four minutes old. Cam Whyte pulled the Flyers to within a goal with 7:25 to play in the second, redirected a Lawson McDonald point shot past Pistons goalie Roman Bengert. Scott Gall also assisted on the Flyers second power-play goal of the game and Steinbach’s lead was cut to 3-2.
The Pistons though, would add a power-play goal of their own with under four minutes left in the period and take their 4-2 lead into the third.
The Flyers had plenty of fight left in the final period but failed to cash in on their chances. Back on Friday night, it was Winkler who capitalized on the chances while the Pistons struggled to find the mark. Saturday was the exact opposite.
Steinbach took a 5-2 lead near the midway point of the third and scored again with a minute and a half left on the clock to take the game 6-2. Both home teams losing their home openers wasn’t for a lack of effort, just a lack of excecution.
Winkler outshot Steinbach 32-30 overall. Ryan Larochelle (1-1-0) took the loss, making 24 saves for Winkler. The Flyers were 2-for-6 on the power-play and 1-for-3 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers (1-1) will host the Winnipeg Blues (2-0) in their next game on Tuesday, September 29th. Puck drop at the Winkler Recreation Complex is 7:30pm. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar or at the door prior to the game.
GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1st – Dan Taillefer – Steinbach – (1 goal – 3 assists)
2nd – Roman Bengert – Steinbach – (30 saves)
3rd – Scott Gall – Winkler – (1 goal – 1 assist)