Goaltender Ryan Larochelle kicked aside all 23 shots he faced as the Winkler Flyers shutout the Dauphin Kings 3-0 at the MJHL Showcase in Winnipeg. Jordan Williamson, Coltyn Bates and Jeff Michiels scored for the Flyers who picked up their second win in a row.
Playing their first of two games at the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg, as part of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Showcase event, the Winkler Flyers squared off against the Dauphin Kings for the first time this season. The Flyers had a lot of success against Dauphin last season, finishing with a 5-0-1 record in their six regular season meetings.
After fighting off the Kings attack in the first 10 minutes of the hockey game, the Flyers started to take control. With 7:16 to play in the opening period, Thomas Mansbridge assisted on Jordan Williamson’s second goal in as many games to put the Flyers up 1-0.
It was a fairly even first period with Winkler holding down a one goal lead while being outshot 13-10.
The Flyers took full control of the game in the second. Winkler doubled their lead on the power-play, 4:07 into the period, when Coltyn Bates banged in a loose puck in front of the net giving Winkler a 2-0 lead. Tyler Jubenvill and Jeff Michiels assisted on Bates’ first goal as a Flyer.
Winkler extended their lead to 3-0 with just over six minutes left in the middle frame thanks to Jeff Michiels second of the season. Defensemen Zak Hicks and Nathan Karlowsky assisted. The Flyers thoroughly dominated the second, outshooting the Kings 11-3 in the period.
Leading by three goals after 40 minutes, Winkler put it into cruise control in the third which allowed Ryan Larochelle to earn his second win of the season and first MJHL shutout. The Edmonton native recorded 23 saves in the win. Winkler outshot Dauphin 28-23 overall.
Winkler went 1-for-6 on the power-play and 4-for-4 on the penalty-kill. It was the Flyers fourth straight game scoring at least one power-play goal to lead the entire MJHL with a 28.57% power-play efficiency rating. Defenseman Zak Hicks also extended his point streak to four games as he continues to lead the Flyers in points with six points in the Flyers four regular season games.
The Flyers (3-1) will take on the Neepawa Natives (2-2), Saturday afternoon in their second and final game at the MJHL Showcase. Puck drop at the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg is 3pm. The Natives have dropped their last two regular season games. Winkler beat Neepawa twice during the preseason.
Great Canadian Oil Change Three Stars
1st – Ryan Larochelle – Winkler – (23 Save Shutout)
2nd – Jeff Michiels – Winkler – (1 goal – 1 assist)
3rd – Coltyn Bates – Winkler – (1 goal)