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KECK STRIKES FOR TWO AS FLYERS BEAT OCN IN WINNIPEG

The Winkler Flyers began the 2014-15 MJHL Showcase with a 4-2 victory over the OCN Blizzard on Friday afternoon. Tristan Keck scored twice and Dasan Sydora made 26 saves as the Flyers picked up their fifth win of the year.

After losing to the Portage Terriers earlier in the week, the Flyers joined the rest of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in Winnipeg looking to get back in the win column against the Blizzard.

Playing in front of numerous scouts as well as a few Flyer faithful who made the afternoon trip to Winnipeg, the Orange and Black drew first blood midway through the opening period. At the 9:45 mark of the first, the puck made its way to second year defenseman Lawson McDonald in front of the net who fired a quick shot over the shoulder of OCN goaltender Brody Claeys giving Winkler the 1-0 lead. Shawn Pachet and Kayden Jarvis picked up the assists on McDonald’s second of the season.

However, not even a minute later, OCN would capitalize on a Flyer turnover and tie the game at one. The two teams would skate into the first intermission tied a one with each team getting 10 shots on goal.

The Blizzard were able to take the momentum in the second period and took their first lead of the game, just over six minutes into the period. OCN took their 2-1 lead into the second intermission while outshooting the Flyers 21-17 through 40 minutes.

Looking to avoid dropping their second straight game, the Flyers began their comeback attempt with 13:56 to play in regulation. Evan Last and Cam Whyte assisted on Patrice Wren’s first goal as a Flyer after he placed a wrist shot off the inside of the far post and in, pulling the Flyers even at two goals a piece.

Winkler continued to pressure the OCN net and found themselves on the power-play with just under eight minutes to go, with a chance to take back the lead. Holding the puck at the top of the zone, Lawson McDonald slid a pass over to Tristan Keck at the top of the right circle. The Flyers leading scorer then snapped home the go ahead goal with 7:15 left on the clock. That goal increased Keck’s point streak to five straight games. And with the assist, McDonald also earned his first ever, multi-point game in the MJHL.

Keck would then give his club some insurance, scoring an unassisted, empty net goal with 38 seconds left to put the Flyers in front by a score of 4-2. It was Keck’s league leading ninth goal of the season.

Dasan Sydora (2-1) was steady all game long picking up his second win of the season. The Red Deer native made 26 saves overall as the Flyers outshot the Blizzard 37-28, 20-7 in the third period alone. Winkler went 1-for-5 on the power-play and a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty-kill. The Flyers now sport the best penalty-kill in the MJHL (95.83%)

The Flyers (5-2) will now set their sights on the Waywayseecappo Wolverines (1-4-1) who they will play on Saturday afternoon in their final game at the Showcase. Puck drop at the MTS Iceplex is 1:00pm. The Flyers beat Wayway 4-0 at home on Saturday, September 27th.

NOTE: Flyers forward Josh Cook left the game with an upper body injury in the first period and did not return. He will be re-evaluated in the coming days.

GAME STATS