The Flyers youngsters dropped a 4-3 decision to the Blues in Winnipeg on Tuesday night, as Winkler kicked off their eight game MJHL pre-season schedule. Both clubs dressed the majority of their younger players as they continue to whittle their numbers down.
With just four veterans dressed, the Flyers sent a young group to the MTS Iceplex for the pre-season opener. For the most part, this game gave both coaches a chance to see some of the players trying to crack not only this years team but earn roster spots down the road.
The Blues got the early jump and opened the scoring just over a minute into the game. Winnipeg would double their lead before the end of the frame to take a 2-0 advantage into the second.
Near the midway point of the middle period, the Flyers would catch a break when Liam MacLeod’s shot deflected off the leg of a Blues defender and found the back of the net, cutting Winnipeg’s lead to 2-1. Not even a minute later, second year Flyer Evan Last would take the pass from veteran Reid Burak and place his shot under the pad of the Winnipeg goaltender, tying the game 2-2.
The Flyers would take the lead before the break as Chase Fincaryk would score a short-handed marker with 3:30 remaining in the period to give Winkler a 3-2 lead through 40 minutes.
Winnipeg would get the equalizer on the power-play in the early stages of the third and score the eventual game winner with just over four minutes to play. Despite generating a significant number of chances during a late game power-play opportunity, the Orange and Black were forced to settle for the 4-3 loss.
Trent Sargent played the entire game for Winkler in goal and allowed four goals on 21 shots as the Flyers outshot Winnipeg 29-21 overall.
Winkler will return home to host the Blues on Wednesday night in their pre-season home opener. The Flyers are expected to dress a more veteran lineup on Wednesday night.
Admission to all Flyers preseason home games is $5 per person. Game time at the Winkler Recreation Complex is 7:30pm.