Despite outshooting Winnipeg 54-20 on Tuesday night, the Winkler Flyers suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the visiting Blues. Sulivan Shortreed increased his goal scoring streak to six straight games in a losing cause and Morris native Jayden McCarthy chipped in with a goal and an assist.
Coming into the game having won four of their last five games, the Flyers welcomed a Winnipeg Blues squad who were playing their fourth game in a span of five days. This was the second meeting of the season between the two clubs with Winkler taking the first game, 5-2 on September 27th in Winnipeg.
The Blues got the upper hand early when Captain Brayden Foreman scored just 37 seconds into the game. Shot wise and possession wise, the first period belonged to the Flyers as they peppered Winnipeg netminder Dante Giannuzzi with 22 shots in the opening 20 minutes. After the Blues doubled their lead to 2-0 near the midway point of the first, the Flyers got one back before the end of the period.
The Winkler goal came from a familiar face as Sulivan Shortreed carried the puck towards the front of the net and snapped home his 8th goal of the season to cut Winnipeg’s lead to 2-1 with just over two minutes left before intermission. The goal increased Shortreed’s goal scoring streak to eight games. Jayden McCarthy and Justin Svenson drew the assists, with Svenson also increasing his point streak to six straight.
The Flyers kept the pressure on in the middle frame but the Blues managed to add to their lead thanks to a fortunate goal by Braden Fischer just over five minutes into the period. Winkler would get that one back later on when Jayden McCarthy’s shot sailed past the crowd in front of the net and in for his second goal in as many games. Bryce Krauter also added his team leading 8th assist of the season.
Trailing by a goal entering the third and outshooting Winnipeg 38-16 through 40 minutes, the Flyers went hunting for the equalizer. The chances were definitely there for the Flyers but Giannuzzi continued to frustrate the Flyers’ offence the rest of the way. One a late game Winkler power-play, the Blues tacked on one more into an empty Winkler net to make the final 4-2.
Dorrin Luding, who has started seven of the Flyers’ eight games this season took the loss making 16 saves on the 19 shots that he faced. Winkler outshot Winnipeg 54-20 overall. The Flyers were 0-for-5 on the power-play and 4-for-4 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers (4-4-0) will host the Portage Terriers (8-0-0) on Friday, October 11th in their next game. Puck drop for Petro Canada Black Friday is 7:30pm. You can catch the game live with a subscription to www.hockeytv.com
