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LEONARD’S THREE POINT NIGHT HELPS WINKLER WIN IN WAYWAY – OCTOBER 4

Assistant Captain Griffin Leonard scored twice and added an assist as the Winkler Flyers picked up a 5-2 road win in Waywayseecappo on Friday night. Sulivan Shortreed, Justin Svenson and Jayden McCarthy also scored for the Flyers who earned their fourth win in their last five games.

 

Looking to keep things going after a win against Neepawa at the MJHL Showcase on Tuesday, the Orange and Black hit the road to play a Wolverines club that had lost just once in regulation in their first seven games.

 

The Flyers could not have asked for a better start as Sulivan Shortreed snapped a shot from the top of the left circle just 40 seconds into the game to give Winkler an early 1-0 lead. Drake Burgin, who has recorded at least a point in all but one game this season picked up the lone assist on Shortreed’s MJHL leading seventh goal of the season.

 

Waywayseecappo tied the game at one on the power-play just minutes later and the two teams skated into the intermission tied 1-1.

 

Entering play on Friday, the Flyers had scored half of their goals in the second period, and against the Wolverines they would add a couple more. Still tied late in the middle frame, Nathan Poolman sent a pass across the blue line to Justin Svenson on the power-play. Svenson skated in and sent his shot off the base of the far goal post, off the foot of goaltender Thomson Phinney and in to put Winkler back in front 2-1.

 

Then just 51 seconds later, Drake Burgin earned his second assist of the game when he sprung Griffin Leonard on a breakaway and the Flyers took their 3-1 lead into the second intermission.

 

Wayway began the third period with a partial breakaway goal of their own and the Wolverines had made it a one goal game, 1:22 into the final period. However, the Flyers were quick to get that one back. Not even a minute later, the puck slid to the left wing slot, right to Jayden McCarthy who flicked a back hand shot into the net to restore the Flyers’ two goal advantage. Griffin Leonard and Riley Cusack assisted.

 

Goaltender Dorrin Luding and the Winkler defense would hold tight the rest of the way. The Flyers sealed the game with six seconds left on the clock when Griffin Leonard hit the empty Wayway net and the Orange and Black would come away with a 5-2 win.

 

Luding was also instrumental in the victory, making many key saves while improving his record to 3-3. The Flyers outshot Wayway 38-30 overall. Winkler was 1-for-4 on the power-play and 4-for-5 on the penalty-kill.

 

The Flyers next game is Tuesday, October 8th when they host the Winnipeg Blues. Puck drop at the Winkler Rec Complex is 7:30pm. You can watch the game live with a subscription to www.hockeytv.com

 

NOTE: The Manitoba Junior Hockey League announced their Player of the Month awards on Friday. Flyers’ forward Justin Svenson was named a Runner-Up for the Player of the Month Award. Drake Burgin was a Runner-Up for the Defenseman of the Month Award, and defenseman Kyle Lamoureux was named a Runner-Up for Rookie of the Month.

 

GAME STATS