The Winkler Flyers earned three of a possible four points on the weekend, finishing up their two game weekend road trip with a 3-2 overtime loss in Waywayseecappo. Goaltender Britt League had another strong performance between the pipes for Winkler, helping his club pick up at least a point against the Wolverines.
A night after increasing their winning streak to five games with a 5-1 win in Dauphin, the Flyers travelled to the Waywayseecappo Arena for their second meeting of the year against the Wolverines. Much like their first encounter, which was a 4-1 Wolverines victory earlier this month in Winkler, special teams and discipline were front and centre as all three Wayway goals on Saturday night came on the power-play.
It didn’t take long for Winkler to get on the board in Wayway as Captain Connor Beebe sent a shot past the glove of Isaac Labelle just 18 seconds into the game and Winkler had a 1-0 lead for the fourth straight game. Brody Moffatt and Jacob Lacasse assisted on Beebe’s second of the season.
The Wolverines fought back in the second period and struck twice on the man-advantage to move in front 2-1 midway through the period. Winkler was quick to respond as Griffin Leonard cashed in a rebound for his sixth of the year and second in as many nights to pull the Flyers even 2-2. Erik Dahl and Jayden McCarthy assisted on the goal which led to the two teams skating into the second intermission tied.
Winkler goaltender Britt League, who made his second consecutive start, kept the game tied even though the Wolverines outshot Winkler 13-5 in the third period. Both teams had their chances in overtime and the period included many game saving stops by both goaltenders, but the Wolverines would get another chance on the power-play late in the fourth period.
The game winner came from a tipped point shot on the power-play with 1:41 left in overtime, giving Wayway the extra point and the 3-2 victory.
League finished the game with 31 saves as Wayway outshot Winkler 34-19. Winkler went 0-for-7 on the power-play and 4-for-7 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers (8-5-2) will return home to finish off their busy month of October against the Winnipeg Blues on Tuesday night. Tuesday’s game sponsor is Assiniboine Community College. Puck drop at the Winkler Rec Complex is 7:30pm. You can also catch the game live with a subscription to www.hockeytv.com