The Winkler Flyers scored five times in the third period in a convincing 8-3 win over the Selkirk Steelers, snapping their six game road winless streak. Tristan Keck and Cam Whyte combined for seven points to help the Flyers win their 30th game of the season.
Coming off a 7-3 loss in Portage on Sunday night, the Flyers travelled to Selkirk, looking for their first win of the season at the Selkirk Recreation Complex. It their two previous trips to the House of Steel, the Flyers suffered a regulation loss and most recently, a shootout loss.
The Flyers came out of the gate well, but it was Selkirk who would draw first blood, 11:15 into the game. Despite being heavily outshot by the Flyers, Selkirk doubled their lead nearly four minutes into the second period, and for the third straight game, the Flyers were down 2-0 to start the hockey game.
Winkler hit the score board 5:35 into the second when Thomas Mansbridge’s slap shot snuck through the legs of Steelers netminder Hayden Dola, bringing Winkler to within one. Tristan Keck and Cam Whyte assisted on Mansbridge’s 13th of the year. With the assist, Keck pushed his point streak to nine games.
The Flyers pulled even eight minutes later. Carrying the puck down the right wing side, Jordan Williamson hopped past the Selkirk defender and fired a shot off of Dola’s left pad. Standing right on the door step was Nico Labossiere who tapped in his sixth to tie the game 2-2. The Flyers went on the power-play later in the period and that’s when Scott Gall scored his fifth goal in five games to move Winkler in front 3-2. Kurt Sonne and Lawson McDonald assisted on Gall’s 21st.
Leading 31-13 on the shot clock, the Flyers took their one goal lead into the third. The Steelers started the third period with a man in the box and Kayden Jarvis made them pay with his ninth of the season, giving Winkler a two goal lead.
Just past the two minute mark of the period, Tristan Keck danced around the Steeler defense and roofed his 30th of the year to make the score 5-2 for the visitors. That would be the end of the night for Selkirk goalie Hayden Dola, who was replaced by Brett Friesen.
The switch seemed to spark Selkirk as they cut Winkler’s lead to 5-3 just moments later. However, the Flyers offense would keep rolling. With 7:31 left on the clock, Nico Labossiere and Mitch Dyck assisted on Jeff Michiels’ goal to restore the Flyers’ three goal lead.
One minute and twenty seconds later, Cam Whyte fed the puck across the goal mouth to Thomas Mansbridge who potted his second of the game. Tristan Keck also drew an assist. Cam Whyte would also find the back of the net with just over two minutes to play to make the final 8-3 for Winkler.
Nathan Warren (6-3-1) was good when called up on Tuesday, making 20 saves in the win. Winkler outshot Selkirk 43-23 overall. The Flyers went 2-for-5 on the power-play and 4-for-4 on the penalty-kill. In 18 of the Flyers 30 wins this season, the margin of victory has been by three goals or more. Winkler’s record against Selkirk is now 2-1-1 on the year. Winkler also improves their road record to 11-8-1.
The Flyers (30-11-3) will begin their final three games in three nights road trip on Friday night against the Swan Valley Stampeders. Winkler will then play back to back games in Waywayseecappo on Saturday and Sunday nights. You can catch all three games on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com with Matt Friesen’s pregame show at 7:25pm each night.
Great Canadian Oil Change Three Stars
1st Star – F Tristan Keck (Winkler)
2nd Star – F Cam Whyte (Winkler)
3rd Star – F Jordy Williamson (Winkler)
Winkler Canvas Hardest Working Flyer
F Nico Labossiere
NOTE: Head Coach Ken Pearson (1 game), defenseman Nathan Karlowsky (2 games) and forward Braden Billaney (2 games) were suspended as a result of the Flyers multi-fight incident in Portage on Sunday night. The Flyers were also fined an undisclosed amount of cash. Coach Pearson will be back behind the bench Friday night in Swan Valley. However, Karlowsky and Billaney will only be eligible to return to the line-up Saturday in Waywayseecappo.