It was a great all around effort by the Orange and Black on Tuesday night in a 6-1 win over the visiting Selkirk Steelers. Back stopped by goaltender Cole Weaver, the Flyers scored six unanswered goals while picking up their second win in three games against Selkirk.
With four days off since letting a two goal, third period lead slip away in Winnipeg, the Flyers welcomed the Selkirk Steelers to the Winkler Rec Complex. After a healthy stretch of road games in the rear view mirror, Tuesday’s contest was the first of a three game home stand.
Just minutes after the Steelers opened the scoring with a goal in the first minute of the game, Gino Lucia drew the Flyers even with a snap shot from between the faceoff circles. After the early goal against, Weaver settled down nicely as the two teams skated into the first intermission tied 1-1.
Winkler started to take control in the middle frame and took the lead just over eight minutes into the period. With the puck deep inside the Selkirk zone, Nico Labossiere found Tyler Jubenvill in the slot and his back hander beat goaltender Brett Friesen to give Winkler a 2-1 lead.
With six minutes to go in the period, Scott Gall carried the puck into the zone, slid it over to Nolan McGuire and the Winkler native made no mistake in extending Winkler’s lead to 3-1. Brayden Cullum also assisted on McGuire’s 12th of the year.
Just over a minute after that, Matt Christian and Coltyn Bates would assist on Jubenvill’s second of the game and the Flyers would take their 4-1 lead into the third. The Flyers pressured the Steelers skaters all game long and played a fast and physical brand of hockey.
The third period started with another Winkler goal, this one off the stick of Brayden Cullum who scored his second of the season, 8:03 into the period. The Flyers would score again with just under six minutes left in the game. Early in a four minute power-play, Lawson McDonald and Tyler Jubenvill assisted on Gino Lucia’s second of the game and ninth of the year to give the Flyers a commanding 6-1 lead.
Jubenvill finished the game with two goals and two assists, while Labossiere was right behind with three assists. McDonald, Cullum and Lucia also finished the game with multiple points.
Cole Weaver was fantastic while increasing his record to 10-2. The rookie now sits second in the MJHL in wins (10) and save percentage (.933). The Flyers outshot the Steelers 30-23 overall. Winkler went 1-for-3 on the power-play and 2-for-2 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers (16-7-0) will host the Swan Valley Stampeders on Friday night in their next game. Puck drop at the Winkler Recreation Complex is 7:30pm. That game will also be the next Petro Canada Black Friday.
GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1ST STAR – D TYLER JUBENVILL (WINKLER)
2ND STAR – F GINO LUCIA (WINKLER)
3RD STAR – G COLE WEAVER (WINKLER)