Kayden Jarvis scored three times as the Winkler Flyers downed the first place Portage Terriers 6-1 at the Winkler Rec Complex on Tuesday night. The Flyers played one of their best games of the season, moving to within five points of top spot with two games in hand on the Terriers.
Playing their fourth game in five days, the Flyers returned home after winning two of three games in OCN, Swan Valley, and Dauphin on the weekend. The second place Flyers and first place Terriers split their first two meetings of the year with both teams winning their games on the road.
It didn’t take long for the Flyers offense to get started as Coltyn Bates and Connor Hamonic assisted on Kayden Jarvis’ first of the night just 20 seconds into the game. Winkler kept coming at the Terriers and doubled their lead 8:23 into the first when Tristan Keck scored a short-handed breakaway goal to make the score 2-0 for the home side. Scott Gall assisted on Keck’s 20th of the year.
Winkler would add another one before the break thanks to Cam Whyte’s team leading 23rd goal with 1:17 to go in the period. Outshooting Portage 19-7 through 20 minutes, the Flyers took their 3-0 lead into the second. Tuesday’s great opening period was a welcome sign for the Flyers, who had failed to take a lead into the first intermission in 10 straight games.
The Flyers continued to push the pace in the middle period and increased their lead with 2:27 left on the clock. Up near the Terriers’ blueline, defenseman Tyler Jubenvill fired a pass down to the left wing corner to Scott Gall, who found Kayden Jarvis in front of the net. The Flyers assistant captain made no mistake in scoring his second of the game to give the Flyers a 4-0 lead.
Winkler put the game away with two quick goals to start the third period. Tristan Keck scored his second of the game 28 seconds into the period and Kayden Jarvis completed the hat-trick 20 seconds later and the Flyers lead was now 6-0.
Portage scored their first of the game before the period was two minutes old and the Flyers lead was cut to 6-1. That would be plenty for the Flyers who earned their 25th win of the season and second in three tries against the defending RBC Cup Champions.
Nathan Warren was extremely solid between the pipes for Winkler, making 32 saves while increasing his record to 3-1. The Flyers outshot Portage 44-33 overall. Winkler went 3-for-3 on the penalty-kill and did not get a power-play opportunity.
The Flyers (25-6-2) will host the Winnipeg Blues (15-11-6) on Saturday, December 19th in their final game before the Christmas Break. It will also be their last home game until January 12th, with their next five games taking place on the road. Puck drop at the Winkler Recreation Complex on Saturday night is 7:30pm. Advance tickets are available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar.
Great Canadian Oil Change Three Stars.
1st Star – F Kayden Jarvis (Winkler)
2nd Star – F Tristan Keck (Winkler)
3rd Star – G Nathan Warren (Winkler)