The Winkler Flyers scored four unanswered goals en route to a 4-2 victory in Thief River Falls on Saturday night. Despite digging themselves an early 2-0 hole, the Orange and Black came back to sweep the two game exhibition series for the Goose Cup.
Just 24 hours after beating the SIJHL’s Norskies 5-0 in Winkler, the exhibition series shifted to the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Winkler dressed a much younger lineup than they did on Friday, and the Norskies took advantage of that in the first period. The home side scored first just before the six minute mark of the opening period, and scored again before the break to take a 2-0 lead into the second frame.
The Flyers rallied for two goals of their own in the second, despite getting into some penalty trouble. Lucas Barker (Matt Krawiec – Assist) and Tyson Novakoski (Weiland Parrish, Brandon Lawson – Assists) both scored for Winkler to even up the score through 40 minutes.
After some early jitters to start the game, the Flyers settled down in the final 40 minutes and picked up the victory thanks to a solid third period. With goaltender Aaron Brunn locking things down between the pipes, Max Daerendinger (Lucas Barker – Assist) scored what would turn out to be the game winning goal with 6:49 left in regulation when his point shot bounced off the glass behind the net, off the Norskies goaltender, and into the back of the net.
Griffin Leonard scored an empty net goal in the final minute, and the Flyers skated away with a 4-2 victory, and a combined 9-2 win in the two game Goose Cup Series.
Aaron Brunn was great in goal, kicking aside 40 of the 42 shots he faced. Thief River Falls outshot the Flyers 42-35 overall.
The Flyers, who have won all three of their exhibition games so far, will travel to Winnipeg on Tuesday night for their second game of the year against the Blues. Winkler beat Winnipeg 4-2 this past Tuesday in their first game of the preseason. Puck drop at the Bell-MTS Iceplex is 7pm. You can catch the game live on HockeyTV.
GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1ST STAR – G AARON BRUNN (WINKLER)
2ND STAR – F LUCAS BARKER (WINKLER)
3RD STAR – F WEILAND PARRISH (WINKLER)