The Flyers scored six times on 53 shots to close out the home portion of their MJHL preseason schedule with a 6-3 win over the visiting Neepawa Natives on Saturday night. Tristan Keck recorded a hat-trick on his 20th birthday to lead the Flyers to their fourth straight exhibition win.
Less than 24 hours after beating the Natives 4-1 in Neepawa, the two clubs met for a second time at the Winkler Recreation Complex. Friday’s game was a physical and emotional affair and the rematch was no different.
It was the Natives who got on the board first just over thirteen and a half minutes into the hockey games. Kyle McDonald beat Flyers goaltender Clarke Flegel over the left shoulder, giving Neepawa a 1-0 lead.
The Flyers would respond with two quick ones just a few minutes later, snatching the lead away from the Natives. The first Flyers goal came after a wonderful pass from newcomer Jordan Williamson, who found Coltyn Bates in front of the net, tying the game 1-1. Zak Hicks assisted on the goal. With five seconds left in the period, Tristan Keck, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, pushed Winkler into the lead with his first of three on the night. Kayden Jarvis and Connor Hamonic drew the assists.
Winkler would add to their lead with three more goals in the second period. Just 4:39 into the period, Tristan Keck scored his second goal on the power-play to give the Flyers a 3-1 lead. This time it was Cam Whyte and Zak Hicks assisting.
A minute and a half later, Jordan Williamson showed some soft hands in front of the net and scored his first as a Flyer, putting the Flyers in front by a score of 4-1. Thomas Mansbridge and Connor Hamonic assisted.
Near the midway point of the second period, Cam Whyte fed the puck across the crease to Tristan Keck in the right slot, and last year’s MJHL MVP wired home his third of the game, giving the Orange and Black a 5-1 cushion. Kayden Jarvis, along with Cam Whyte, picked up their second assists of the night.
It was a rough middle period with a pair of fights sprinkled in between the three Flyers goals. Winkler took their four goal lead into the second intermission while outshooting Neepawa 41-12 through 40 minutes.
Neepawa scored twice in a span of 25 seconds, to cut Winkler’s lead to 5-3 midway through the third period but that would be as close as they would get. With just under four minutes remaining in the game, Connor Hamonic picked up his third assist on Thomas Mansbridge’s goal to give Winkler a 6-3 lead. Fifteen year old Tyler Jubenvill drew the second assist.
Clarke Flegel earned the win in his first start in a Flyers’ uniform allowing three goals on 20 shots. Winkler outshout Neepawa 53-20 overall.
The Flyers will close out their 2015-2016 MJHL Preseason schedule on Sunday afternoon in Selkirk (2:30pm). Winkler beat Selkirk 6-5 this past Tuesday in Winkler.