The Winkler Flyers continued their recent hot streak with a hard fought 4-1 victory over the visiting Dauphin Kings on Friday night. The win was the Flyers’ fourth in a row and eighth in their last nine outings.
With wins in their three previous games, the Flyers welcomed the Dauphin Kings to the Winkler Recreation Complex for the first time this season. Home ice has been very kind to the Flyers this year, with victories in 10 of their 12 games played at home.
The Flyers and Kings met earlier in the year at the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Showcase in Winnipeg. Winkler rode the solid goaltending of Ryan Larochelle that day, blanking the Kings 3-0. The Flyers were treated to a similar performance from the man between the pipes, only this time it was goaltender Connor Slipp, who was looking for his eighth straight win in an Orange and Black uniform.
The opening period was an even, back and forth affair with both teams working hard for their chances. The Flyers struck first when defenseman Tyler Lindstrom’s point shot made its way under the arm of Kings goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn. Tristan Keck and Kurt Sonne each increased their point streaks to four games with assists on Lindstrom’s first of the year, nine minutes into the period.
The game remained tight into the second period, with Dauphin tying the game 1-1 just past the nine minute mark of the period. After Connor Slipp kicked aside a couple of Dauphin chances in tight, Tyler Derkach put in the rebound to pull the road team even at a goal a piece.
Winkler regained the lead on the power-play later in the period. With 5:24 left in the middle frame, defenseman Zak Hicks sent a long lead pass up to forward Tristan Keck who skated past the Dauphin defense and ripped a shot over Schamerhorn’s shoulder, giving the Flyers the 2-1 lead. It was Keck’s 12th goal of the season and seventh in his last six games.
With a record a 10-2-1 when leading after 40 minutes, the Orange and Black took their one goal advantage into the third. The Flyers put the game away in the third period and it started with another power-play goal by Cam Whyte who potted his team leading 14th goal of the year with Tristan Keck and Kurt Sonne drawing the assists. Winkler’s second power-play goal of the game, gave them a 3-1 lead with 7:10 to play in regulation. Whyte increased his point streak to six games with his seventh goal in his last six games.
The Flyers added some insurance with 4:30 left on the clock when Jordan Williamson and Lawson McDonald assisted on Jeff Michiel’s 8th of the season.
Connor Slipp had one of his best games in goal for Winkler, kicking aside 29 of the 30 shots he faced while improving his Flyers’ record to 8-0. Winkler outshot Dauphin 33-30 overall. Winkler also won the special teams battle, going 2-for-6 on the power-play and 1-for-1 on the penalty-kill.
Winkler’s fourth win in a row increased their overall record to 16-4-1. They will conclude their four game homestand on Tuesday, November 17th when the OCN Blizzard come to town. Game time at the Winkler Recreation Complex is 7:30pm. The Flyers are 2-1 against the Blizzard this season, 2-0 on home ice.
Great Canadian Oil Change Three Stars
1st Star – F Tristan Keck (Winkler)
2nd Star – F Jordan Williamson (Winkler)
3rd Star – G Connor Slipp (Winkler)