The Winkler Flyers scored twice in the first 36 seconds of the game enroute to a 6-1 win over the visiting Selkirk Steelers. Winless in their last three games, the Flyers got back in the win column in emphatic fashion on home ice.
With two regulation losses and a shootout loss in their last three outings, the Flyers returned home looking to get back to their winning ways and keep pace with the top teams in the league. Winkler beat Selkirk 2-1 in overtime in their first meeting of the season, September 23rd in Winkler.
The Flyers could not have asked for a better start to the hockey game. Right off the opening faceoff, the Orange and Black rushed the puck into the Steelers zone and Kayden Jarvis scored his second of the season just 26 seconds into the game. Brett Klassen and Reid Burak picked up the assists.
Just 10 seconds later, Scott Gall and Zak Hicks assisted on Cam Whyte’s 10th of the year and the Flyers had a 2-0 lead just 36 seconds into the contest. The Flyers had their chances to build on their lead the rest of the period but were happy with a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.
Selkirk cut Winkler’s lead to 2-1 at the 9:18 mark of the second when a centering pass took an unfortunate bounce and went through the legs of goaltender Dasan Sydora and in. However, the Flyers didn’t let that get them down as they went right back on the attack.
Nine seconds after the Steelers got on the board, Zak Hicks let a shot go from the point restoring the Flyers two goal lead. Brett Klassen and Kayden Jarvis assisted on Hicks’ first of the season. It was just 38 seconds later that Brett Klassen picked up his third assist of the night on Connor Hamonic’s first of the season and Winkler’s lead was 4-1 with 9:55 to play in the second period. The Flyers took their three goal lead into the second intermission while outshooting Selkirk 33-15 through 40 minutes.
Winkler added to their lead with two more goals to start the third. The first was a power-play goal by Jeff Michiels, 3:14 into the frame. Tristan Keck followed that up with his league leading 23rd of the season just over two minutes later and the Flyers lead had grown to 6-1.
With the game fully in hand, the Flyers would cruise to their 14th win of the season. Dasan Sydora picked up his 10th win of the season making 25 saves. The Red Deer native played another strong game increasing his record to 10-2-1. The Flyers outshot Selkirk 39-26 overall. Winkler went 1-for-7 on the power-play and 4-for-4 on the penalty-kill.
Winkler (14-5-5), who now has sole possession of second place in the MJHL, will have the rest of the week off before embarking on their second northern road trip of the season which begins this coming Friday in Dauphin. After the Flyers take on the Kings on Friday night, Winkler will travel to OCN on Saturday before concluding the trip Sunday in Waywayseecappo. All three games can be heard live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com.