The Winkler Flyers regained their series lead over the Virden Oil Capitals on Friday night with a 3-2 double overtime win in Game Five. Scott Gall scored the game winner 5:13 into the fifth period, giving Winkler a 3-2 lead in this best of seven series.   Not even 24 hours after the Oil Caps tied the series 2-2 with a 2-1 win in double overtime, the scene shifted back to Winkler for a pivotal Game Five. After losing their last two games, the Orange and Black were in search of another good effort at home looking to move back into the driver’s seat.   It was a good opening period for the Flyers as they took the game to the visitors early on. Winkler did not allow a shot on goal in the first 14 minutes of the game and would eventually take the lead just before intermission. With 1:15 left in the period, Lawson McDonald let a shot go that bounced off a Virden defender before finding the back of the net. Coltyn Bates and Matt Christian both earned their fourth point of the post season with assists on McDonald's first of the game. It was just the second time in the five games played so far that the Flyers had scored first.   After an even second period, Winkler took their one goal lead into the third. The first 40 minutes of the game went as well as the Flyers could have hoped, and it seemed that Winkler was in full control despite leading by just a single goal.   The Oil Caps came out swinging to start the third though, tying the game just nine seconds into the period. Just past the three minute mark, Virden scored again to take a 2-1 lead and all of a sudden the tension was back inside the Winkler Rec Complex.   Now trailing for the first time in the game, the Flyers went back on the attack and evened the score at the 6:21 mark of the period. Once again it was Lawson McDonald scoring his second of the night with Braden Billaney and Scott Gall drawing the assists.   For the most part, the third period belonged to Winkler goaltender Troy Martyniuk, who made 15 of his 35 saves during that twenty minute span. With the game still tied after 60 minutes, the Flyers and Oil Caps were headed to overtime for the third time in the series.   With Game Four and Game Five taking place on back to back nights, and with the Oil Caps tying the series 2-2 in double overtime the night before, the depth and determination of the two clubs would be tested on Friday night.   The Oil Capitals power-play had been firing on all cylinders through the first four games, scoring eight of their ten goals with an extra man on the ice. They had scored at least one power-play goal in each of the first four games and were awarded an early man advantage in period four. In the middle of that power-play, Virden took a penalty of their own, forcing a series of four on four action. Neither team managed to score in the first overtime period and for the second straight day a fifth period would be needed.   It didn't take long for the game to come to an end after the start of double overtime as the Flyers would send the crowd home happy. With 5:13 gone in period five, Game One hero Tyler Lindstrom's shot got partially stopped by goaltender Riley McVeigh but the rebound rolled off his back and lay just inches from the goal line. Luckily for Winkler, Scott Gall was there to help the puck across the line, sending the Flyers pouring onto the ice in celebration. The Flyers 3-2 victory now gives them a 3-2 lead in this best of seven series, setting up a series clinching game on Sunday night.   Troy Martyniuk earned the win in goal for Winkler making 35 saves on 37 shots. Winkler went 1-for-5 on the power-play and 6-for-6 on the penalty-kill.   Game Six of the series will take place in Virden on Sunday night (7:00pm @ Tundra Oil & Gas Place). Winkler will try to close out the series and advance to the MJHL Semi-Finals for the second year in a row. You can listen to the game live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com with Matt Friesen's pregame show getting underway at 6:55pm.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST  STAR – D LAWSON MCDONALD (WINKLER) 2ND STAR – F SCOTT GALL (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – G TROY MARTYNIUK (WINKLER)   GAME STATS

Forward Ben Dalke scored a power-play goal 5:53 into double overtime as the Virden Oil Capitals beat the Winkler Flyers 2-1, tying the best of seven MJHL quarterfinal series 2-2. The game was full of chances for both teams but the Oil Caps potent playoff power-play was the difference in Virden’s second straight win of the series.   Back on the road after dropping Game Three at home on Tuesday night, the Flyers were back in Virden looking to take a commanding lead in the series. After missing the last 19 games due to injury, regular season leading scorer Scott Gall was back in the line-up for Winkler looking to pick up where he left off offensively.   The Oil Caps caught a break early in the first period when Jordan Thomson’s shot from the point deflected off a body in front and found the back of the net, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. It was the third time in the series that Virden has scored the first goal of the game.   Trailing 1-0 entering the second, the Flyers picked up the pace. Just before the midway point of the period, Will Blake found defenseman Tyler Jubenvill in the left wing slot and the 17 year old Gilbert Plains product tied the game 1-1. Nolan McGuire also assisted on Jubenvill’s fourth point of the post season.   Still tied in the final period of regulation, the Flyers came within inches of taking the lead on a number of occasions but overtime would be needed for the second time in the series. With the first 10 minute overtime period solving nothing, a fifth period would decide things.   Of the eight goals scored by Virden in the first three games, seven of them were scored with an extra man on the ice. That trend continued in double overtime when Ben Dalke scored the Oil Caps seventh power-play goal of the playoffs to give the home team the 2-1 series tying win.   Troy Martyniuk made 42 saves in the loss as the Oil Capitals outshot the Flyers 44-37. The Flyers were 0-for-2 on the power-play and 1-for-2 on the penalty-kill.   Game Five of the series will take place in Winkler on Friday night (March 17th). Advance tickets are available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar or at the door prior to the game. Winkler Coop is once again the game sponsor, and you will have a chance to win one of 15 free car washes by filling in the back of your game ticket and placing it in the draw box in the arena lobby. Game time is 7:30pm.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – F BEN DALKE (VIRDEN) 2ND STAR – F WILL BLAKE (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – D JORDAN THOMSON (VIRDEN)   GAME STATS

Special teams once again played a large roll in Game Three as the Virden Oil Capitals got past the Winkler Flyers 3-1 on Tuesday night. None of the four goals in the game were scored 5-on-5, as the Oil Caps cut Winkler’s lead in this best of seven quarterfinal series to 2-1.   With wins in the first two games, the Flyers returned home looking to take a strangle hold lead in the series. Of the 14 goals scored in the first two games, seven of them were scored on the power-play. The first period saw the Flyers generate of number of great chances, but missed opportunities and a few goal posts held Winkler off the scoreboard in the opening period.   Late in the first, Virden took advantage of one of their eight power-plays in the game and took a 1-0 lead into the break. After another scoreless second period, the Oil Caps took their one goal lead into the third.   The chances kept coming for Winkler in the final period but Virden would double their lead to 2-0 with 6:30 gone in the period with their sixth power-play goal of the series. Not even three minutes later, Winkler cut Virden’s lead in half with a power-play goal of their own. Taking the puck from goaltender Troy Martyniuk, Tyler Jubenvill raced it down the left wing side of the ice and threw it in front of the Virden net to Braden Billaney who jammed home his first of the playoffs.   The Flyers spent the next 10 minutes looking for the equalizer, but unlike Game One where the Flyers scored twice in the final five minutes to force overtime, the tying goal would not come in Game Three. Virden tacked on an empty net goal with just two seconds left on the clock and would go on to win their first game of the series.   Troy Martyniuk took the loss in goal for Winkler, despite playing another solid game, as the Flyers outshot Virden 32-16. Winkler was 1-for-5 on the power-play and 6-for-8 on the penalty-kill.   Game Four of the series will be played at Tundra Oil & Gas Place in Virden on Thursday, March 16th. Puck drop is 7:30pm with the pregame show getting underway on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com at 7:25pm. The road team has won two of the three games in this series, including Winkler’s 4-1 win in Virden in Game Two. The Flyers Game Three loss also guarantees a Game Five back in Winkler on Friday, March 17th. Advance tickets for that game can be picked up any time at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – F TYLER KIRKUP (VIRDEN) 2ND STAR – D JORDAN THOMSON (VIRDEN) 3RD STAR – F BRADEN BILLANEY (WINKLER)   GAME STATS

The Winkler Flyers took a two games to none lead in their best of seven MJHL Quarterfinal series with a 4-1 win in Virden on Sunday night. Ian Mackey led the way with two goals in the Flyers Game Two victory, while Lawson McDonald and Tyler Jubenvill both recorded a pair of assists on the road.   Just two days after a thrilling triple overtime win in Game One at home, the Flyers made the trek to Virden looking to build on the momentum from their come from behind win in the series opener.   The Flyers got off to a much better start in Game Two when Ian Mackey tipped in Lawson McDonald’s point shot on the power-play, giving Winkler a 1-0 lead with 6:38 left in the first. Tyler Jubenvill also assisted on the Flyers’ second power-play goal of the series.   Goaltender Troy Martyniuk picked up where he left off, making a number of great saves in the second period, allowing Winkler to take their one goal lead into the third, despite being outshot 32-18 in the first two periods.   Winkler doubled their lead with another power-play goal early in the final period, with Jubenvill and McDonald assisting on Coltyn Bates’ second of the playoffs. With 4:41 left in regulation, Nolan McGuire found Ian Mackey alone in the slot and his slap shot goal moved the Flyers in front 3-0. It was Mackey’s second goal of the game and it gave the Orange and Black some much needed breathing room.   The Oil Capitals hit the scoreboard with just over three minutes left on the clock, when Tyler Kirkup scored Virden’s fourth power-play goal of the playoffs, cutting Winkler’s lead to 3-1. But just over a minute later, Matt Christian was sent in on a breakaway and scored his second of the post season to restore the Flyers three goal cushion. Mitch Dyck and Brody Moffatt assisted on the goal.   Troy Martyniuk was rock solid once again between the pipes for the Flyers, making 38 saves in the win. The Oil Caps outshot the Flyers 39-33 overall. It was the sixth time in his last eight starts that Martyniuk has allowed one goal or less. The Flyers went 1-for-5 on the power-play and were 5-for-6 on the penalty-kill.   The series will now shift back to Winkler for Game Three on Tuesday, March 14th. Puck drop at the Winkler Rec Complex is 7:30pm with advance tickets available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar or at the door prior to the game. You can also catch the game live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com. Video stream will also be available at www.hockeytv.com.   Remember to fill in your name and phone number on the back of your game ticket and place it in the draw box in the arena lobby for a chance to win one of 15 free car washes from the Winkler Coop. If the Flyers win the series, you will also have a chance to win a Broil King BBQ courtesy of the Winkler Coop.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – F IAN MACKEY (WINKLER) 2ND STAR – D LAWSON McDONALD (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – D TYLER JUBENVILL (WINKLER)   GAME STATS

Tyler Lindstrom scored the game winner with 27.9 seconds left in triple overtime as the Winkler Flyers beat the Virden Oil Capitals 5-4 in Game One of the MJHL Playoffs. Trailing by two goals with five minutes left in regulation, the Flyers fought back to tie the game which led to a marathon opening to this best of seven series.   Starting the series at home, the second place Flyers welcomed the seventh place Oil Caps for the second time in six days. Virden beat Winkler 5-3 in the final game of the regular season back on March 4th. Winkler came into the game with an impressive 23-6-1 record on home ice, but in the six games played against the Oil Caps this season, the road team won four of them.   The two teams traded chances during a back of forth first period and with 1:41 left in the period, Oil Caps defenseman Jordan Thomson scored on the power-play to give the road team a 1-0 lead. Winkler was quick to get that one back when Coltyn Bates tucked a shot past goaltender Riley McVeigh just 50 seconds later. Matt Christian and Ian Mackey assisted on the goal and the game went into the first intermission tied 1-1.   Flyers netminder Troy Martyniuk kept his team in the game during the second period as the Flyers struggled to find their rhythm.   Virden started the third period with their second power-play goal and before the midway point of the period they scored their third straight on the power-play to take a 3-1 lead into the second half of the third period.   Winkler started to turn it around after that, and with 10:02 left in the third, Tyler Lindstrom assisted on Will Blake’s goal to cut Virden’s lead to 3-2. The Flyers suffered a setback a few minutes later when Oil Caps forward Carter Cowlthorp capitalized on a turnover at the Winkler blueline and restored Virden’s two goal lead with 7:36 left on the clock.   Needing a spark in order to get back into the game, Winkler went on the power-play with just over five minutes left in the third. Off a set faceoff play, Coltyn Bates pulled the draw back to Matt Christian who scored the Flyers third goal with 4:58 remaining.   With the momentum on their side, the Flyers pushed hard for the equalizer late in regulation. After a number of key stops in their own zone, Nolan McGuire rushed the puck up the ice and found Brody Moffatt charging down the right wing, The rookie forward shoveled in the game tying goal with 3:10 left to play in the third period.   That goal would set up a marathon of a series opener as the game remained tied 4-4 well into period six. Just before the game reached the four hour mark, the Flyers would officially complete the comeback. After getting the pass from Brayden Cullum, Will Blake sent a cross ice feed to Tyler Lindstrom who fired a shot over the blocker shoulder of goaltender Riley McVeigh with just 27.9 seconds left in triple overtime to give the Flyers the 5-4 win.   Troy Martyniuk had a fantastic game between the pipes for Winkler, making 41 stops in the win. The Flyers outshot Virden 52-45. The Flyers went 1-for-5 on the power-play and 3-for-6 on the penalty-kill.   Game Two of the series will be played in Virden on Sunday night (March 12th). Puck drop at Tundra Oil & Gas Place in Virden is 7pm with Matt Friesen’s pregame show on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com getting underway at 6:55pm. You can also video stream the game on www.hockeytv.com.   NOTE: Forwards Jeff Michiels and Brayden Cullum returned to the Flyers lineup after missing the last number of weeks with injury. Regular season leading scorer Scott Gall remains out of the lineup due to injury.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS   1ST STAR – D TYLER LINDSTROM (WINKLER) 2ND STAR – G TROY MARTYNIUK (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – F BRODY MOFFATT (WINKLER)   GAME STATS      

The Winkler Flyers will host the Virden Oil Capitals in Game One of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Quarter Final tonight (7:30pm), as the club begins the quest for their fourth Turnbull Cup.   The Flyers have home ice advantage in this series after finishing the regular season in second place. However, the seventh place Oil Capitals took three of the six games against Winkler this year with the road team winning four of the six games.   Health will be a big factor for the Flyers in these playoffs as the club looks to get back to full strength. Winkler has lost well over one hundred man games to injury this season, most of that in the final month and a half of the season.     Strong starts were key for Winkler this season as the Flyers scored first in 40 of their 60 games. In those games, Winkler went 36-2-2. The Flyers also had a record of 28-0-2 when they led after 20 minutes and 36-2-2 when they took a lead into the third period.   The Flyers were outshot this season in just 10 of their 60 games and outscored their opponent 150-90 in the first two periods. Winkler has had good success this season in close games going 11-2-3 in games decided by a single goal.   Here is a breakdown of the season series and all the information you need to know heading into the MJHL postseason. The opening round of the playoffs is presented by the Winkler Coop. The Coop will be giving away 15 Free Car Washes per game. On the back of your game ticket, you can fill in your name and phone number and place it in the draw box on the front table of the arena lobby. If the Flyers win the series, the Winkler Coop will give away a free Broil King BBQ from the names entered in the draw. Advance tickets are available anytime at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar.     WINKLER (2ND) (41-16-3=77PTS) at home (23-6-1) on road (18-10-2) VIRDEN (7TH) (26-26-8=51PTS)  at home (13-12-5) on road (13-14-3)   – Winkler was 3-3 against Virden this season, outscoring the Oil Caps 17-13 in their six game season series.   – Both teams won two of their three games against eachother on the road.   – Virden has scored 30% of all their goals this season on the power-play (51 of 167), they have also allowed the most short-handed goals in the MJHL (9).   – These two teams met on Saturday night in their regular season finale with Virden winning the game 5-3.   – The Flyers and Oil Caps played eachother in the 2014-15 MJHL Quarterfinals, where Virden won the series 4-2.     SPECIAL TEAMS FLYERS – PP 6TH (17.06%)                 PK 3RD (83.88%) VIRDEN – PP 3RD (19.77%)                  PK 4TH (83.85%)     GAME ONE (Sep 27 in Winkler) OIL CAPS 3 FLYERS 2 / SHOTS 38-34 OIL CAPS / PP 1-5 PK 2-3   Winkler got off on the wrong foot allowing Ben Dalke to open the scoring before the game was 5 minutes old. The Oil Caps would score again midway through the 2nd before Matt Christian cut Virden's lead to 2-1 with four minutes left in the period. Dalke then scored his 2nd of the game on the PP with 3:45 left in the game to restore Virden's 2 goal lead. Jeff Michiels scored a PP goal for WInkler with 30 seconds left but the Flyers comeback would fall just short losing their 1st game of the year.   GOALIES: WINKLER – CONNOR SLIPP / VIRDEN – RILEY McVEIGH   GAME TWO (Oct 9 in Virden) OIL CAPS 3 FLYERS 0 / SHOTS 40-36 FLYERS / PP 0-5  PK 5-6   After a scoreless 1st period, Mack Hardy scored on the PP to give the Oil Caps a 1-0 lead after 2 periods. Sam Schulz double Virden's lead to 2-0 early in the 3rd and Dylan Cusmano added an empty net goal with 2 seconds left to seal the Oil Caps 3-0 win. Marc Audet was the star of the show for Virden with a 40 save shutout.   GOALIES: WINKLER – COLE WEAVER / VIRDEN – MARC AUDET       GAME THREE (Nov 20 in Winkler) FLYERS 4 OIL CAPS 0 / SHOTS 30-26 FLYERS / PP 0-7 PK 4-4   With all the players parents and billets in attendance for Parent Billet Weekend, the Flyers snuffed out the Oil Caps right from the start. Garrett Kuklica opened the scoring just 3:23 into the game and Jacob Lacasse made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later. Nico Labossiere score in the 2nd to give the Flyers a three goal lead and Braden Cullum made it 4-0 for the Flyers early in the third. That would be all the offense Cole Weaver would need as he would earn his second straight shutout.   GOALIES: WINKLER – COLE WEAVER / VIRDEN  – MARC AUDET       GAME FOUR (Dec 4 in Virden) FLYERS 2 OIL CAPS 1 / SHOTS 44-19 FLYERS / PP 0-2 PK 3-3   Jacob Lacasse gave Winkler a 1-0 lead in the first period as the Flyers outshot the Oil Caps 16-5 in the opening 20 minutes. Virden tied the game 1-1 with 8 minutes left in the 2nd before Braden Billaney put Winkler back in front 2-1 with 3 and a half to play before the intermission. Cole Weaver and the Flyers shut it down in the third and the Flyers picked up their third win in a 3 game weekend road trip.   GOALIES: WINKLER – COLE WEAVER / VIRDEN  – MARC AUDET     GAME FIVE (Feb 14 in Virden) FLYERS 6 OIL CAPS 1 / SHOTS 54-47 OIL CAPITALS / PP 1-5 PK 4-4   Good opening period by the Flyers as Mitch Dyck and Coltyn Bates both scored in the first to give Winkler a 2-0 lead. Virden cut Winkler's lead to 2-1 early in the second but Troy Martyniuk would stand tall in the middle frame, stopping 21 of the 22 shots he faced. The Flyers tacked on two more before intermission when Brett Oppermann and Ian Mackey (SH) scored to make the score 4-1 Winkler after 40 minutes. Mackey scored again in the third and Gino Lucia also scored (PP) in the final period to make the final 6-1 for the Flyers.   GOALIES: WINKLER – TROY MARTYNIUK / VIRDEN  – MARC AUDET     GAME SIX (Mar 4 in Winkler) OIL CAPS 5 FLYERS 3 / SHOTS 36-29 FLYERS / PP 1-7 PK 4-5   After Virden took a 1-0 lead just before the nine minute mark of the first, Brody Moffatt scored his second of the year to tie the game 1-1. The Oil Caps restored their one goal lead before intermission, and despite outshooting Virden 13-7 through 20 minutes, Winkler trailed 2-1 heading into the third. The Oil Caps increased their lead to 3-1 with a PP goal early in the second but Matt Christian and Ian Mackey both replied within minutes and the game was tied 3-3 after 40 minutes. However, Virden would score twice more in the third and would win the regular season final 5-3.   GOALIES: WINKLER – COLE WEAVER / VIRDEN  – RILEY McVEIGH   BEST OF SEVEN SERIES SCHEDULE   VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS  vs WINKLER FLYERS Mar 10 Virden Oil Capitals at Winkler Flyers 7:30 pm Mar 12 Winkler Flyers at Virden Oil Capitals 7:00 pm Mar 14 Virden Oil Capitals at Winkler Flyers 7:30 pm Mar 16 Winkler Flyers at Virden Oil Capitals 7:30 pm Mar 17 Virden Oil Capitals at Winkler Flyers (if necess) 7:30 pm Mar 19 Winkler Flyers at Virden Oil Capitals (if necess) 7:00 pm Mar 21 Virden Oil Capitals at Winkler Flyers (if necess) 7:30 pm   All playoff tickets will be available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar anytime, or at the Arena prior to the game.   TICKET PRICES: ADULT (19+) – $12 STUDENTS (13-18) – $8 CHILD (6-12) – $5 CHILDREN UNDER 5 – FREE

The Winkler Flyers are set to play the Virden Oil Capitals in the opening round of the MJHL playoffs for the second time in three years. After finishing the regular season in second place, the Flyers (41-16-3) will play an Oil Caps (26-26-8) team that finished the year in seventh place.   It was a solid run through the regular season for Winkler, ending the year with the second best record in Manitoba Junior Hockey League, and finishing with an honorable mention in the CJHL Top 20 Team Rankings. Winkler will have home ice advantage in this best of seven series. The Flyers went 23-5-1 at home this year, while the Oil Capitals had a record of 13-14-3 on the road.   Here is the complete schedule for the best of seven series. All games can be heard live on Country 88.9FM with Matt Friesen (road games) and Darrell Wheeler (home games). The games will also be streamed live on www.pembinavalleyonline.com. You can also video stream the games on www.hockeytv.com   VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS  vs WINKLER FLYERS Mar 10 Virden Oil Capitals at Winkler Flyers 7:30 pm Mar 12 Winkler Flyers at Virden Oil Capitals 7:00 pm Mar 14 Virden Oil Capitals at Winkler Flyers 7:30 pm Mar 16 Winkler Flyers at Virden Oil Capitals 7:30 pm Mar 17 Virden Oil Capitals at Winkler Flyers (if necess) 7:30 pm Mar 19 Winkler Flyers at Virden Oil Capitals (if necess) 7:00 pm Mar 21 Virden Oil Capitals at Winkler Flyers (if necess) 7:30 pm   An in depth playoff preview will be released later in the week.   All playoff tickets will be available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar anytime, or at the Arena prior to the game.   TICKET PRICES: ADULT (19+) – $12 STUDENTS (13-18) – $8 CHILD (6-12) – $5 CHILDREN UNDER 5 – FREE

This past weekend, the Winkler Flyers handed our their annual year end awards. In a pregame ceremony, the Flyers also honored their eight graduating 20 year olds. Here is a list of the Flyers award winners. The photo gallery is at the end of the story.   Winkler Flyer Awards Rookie of the year This years recipient has excelled during his first year of play in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.  Tonight he will be making his 36th appearance in goal for the orange and black, already having posted 24 victories for the club.  He has been essential to the clubs success this year, not only claiming the teams player of the month award in November but also garnering league accolades as a Rookie team all-star, 2nd team MJHL All-Star and the MJHL's Top Rookie Award.  Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating the Winkler Flyers Rookie of the Year #30 – Cole Weaver Best Defensive Player Awarded to the player deemed to make the greatest defensive contribution on a nightly basis, this years top defensive player has shown an incredible ability to keep opposing players off the score sheet.  This player had been on the ice for a mere 10 even strength goals against in his 35 games prior to injury. He anchors the orange and black PK, again allowing only 3 powerplay goals against while he is on the ice. Congratulations to the Winkler Flyers Top Defensive Player, third year Flyer and the team's assistant captain, #14 – Jeff Michiels Coach's Award The Winkler Flyers coach's award goes to a player who has provided steady, consistent play all season long.  No matter what was asked of him, from scoring a timely goal, killing a penalty or stepping up physically to help swing momentum for his team, this first year Flyer was always there when called upon.  On and off the ice, this Flyer has made a positive contribution to his team and the community.  Congratulations to the winner of this years Coaches Award – #28 – Ian Mackey Most Valuable Defenseman This defenceman has been vital to the success of the orange and black this season.  Playing his 4th season on the Flyer blue line, this player plays key minutes in all situations and currently ranks 2nd on the team in scoring.  This player has been recognized at the league level as a 1st team All-Star and runner up for the MJHL defenceman of the year.  Congratulations to the winner of the Winkler Flyers Most Valuable Defenseman award, #8 – Lawson McDonald. Fan's Choice Award For the first time in recent history, the orange and black will be handing out a Fan's Choice Award.  Voted on entirely by you the fans, your votes over the last 3 Flyer home games have been counted, over 800 in total, to crown this years winner.  Every single player on the orange and black received votes with the winner garnering a slim 8 vote margin over the runner up.  Ladies and gentleman, please help me in congratulating the winner, as selected by you, #4 – Scott Gall Most Valuable Player This years Most Valuable Player award goes to a player who has seen his role on the team grow each year during his time with the orange and black.  He is a leader on the team in many statistical categories, most notably in the teams plus / minus where his +38 ranking leads all players.  He has been on the ice for over 70% of all the teams powerplay goals and nearly 50% of the teams goals for overall.  This 4th year Flyer is serving as an assistant captain and his work with the team has recently been rewarded with a scholarship to the NCAA Division 1 University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.  Ladies and Gentlemen, please help me in congratulating this years MVP – Rosetown native, #8 Lawson McDonald. _____________________________________________________________ Flyers 20 year old presentation:   Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight will mark the final regular season game for 8 members of the orange and black.  The organization would like to honor their contributions both to the hockey club as well as the community with a small token of our appreciation. Since coming to the orange and black in December, Nathan Peabody has been as steady presence on the Flyer blueline.  Despite this being his first year in Winkler, he has wasted no time in becoming part of the community, reading in local schools.  Ladies and Gentlemen, #15 – Nathan Peabody Brayden Cullum joined the orange and black midseason and immediately became part of the teams leadership group.  He also was quick to spend time in local schools and with minor hockey teams in Winkler – Please join me in congratulating, #16 – Brayden Cullum Since coming to Winkler, Tanner Lewis has been amongst the teams leading scorers, tallying a career high 11 goals in his 31 games with the club.  A 2nd generation Flyer, he has become an integral part of the Flyers culture.  Make some noise for #22 – Tanner Lewis Joining the Flyers at the start of the season, Ian Mackey has done everything for the orange and black.  In addition to his contributions on ice, he has been a constant volunteer at local schools and minor hockey practices.  Let's hear it for #28 – Ian Mackey Having played with the orange and black in each of the last 2 seasons, Tyler Lindstrom has cemented himself as a vital member of the defensive group.  He has Devoted time weekly to local schools as well as helping coach minor hockey teams.  Ladies and Gentlemen, #25 – Tyler Lindstrom One of 3 career Winkler Flyers we are honouring today – Jeff Michiels has become an integral part of the orange and black identity.  Being named an assistant captain, he has anchored a group that has seen the teams goals against drop in each of his 3 seasons thanks in large part to his play.  Please join me in congratulating #14 – Jeff Michiels Having spent all 4 years of his junior hockey career playing for the orange and black, Scott Gall will finish the regular season as the active leader in career goals with 81, and points with 150 despite having missed time with a recent injury.  Being named as an assistant captain this season, Scott has been an integral part of this groups success.  Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for #4 – Scott Gall A leader on and off the ice, Connor Hamonic has captained the orange and black in each of the past 2 seasons, leading the team to 83 regular season wins to date.  He will finish his regular season career as the teams active leader in games played with 174 over his 4 year career, all in a Winkler Flyer uniform. Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together for the captain, #6 – Connor Hamonic  

The Winkler Flyers closed out the 2016-17 regular season with a 5-3 loss to the visiting Virden Oil Capitals. After clinching second place in the league standings the night before, the Flyers took on the team they will now play in the first round of the playoffs in a physical affair at the Winkler Rec Complex.   With their spot in the standings already secure, the Flyers played host to the Oil Caps who still were unsure of where they would end up. A win over Winkler and a Winnipeg loss to Dauphin would move the seventh place Oil Caps into sixth place in the league standings. However, if Winnipeg were to earn just a single point in their game against the Kings or if they were to lose to the Flyers, Virden would finish in seventh spot and earn a date with the Orange and Black in the first round of the MJHL playoffs.   It was a very physical battle right from the start with a total of 61 penalty minutes handed out in the first period alone. After failing to capitalize on an early 5-on-3 power-play, Winkler gave up the first goal of the game just before the nine minute mark of the opening period.   With 6:54 left before the break, Brody Moffatt shoveled in his second goal of the year to tie the game 1-1. Garrett Kuklica and Jacob Lacasse drew the assists. Virden would score again with just over a minute left in the period and took their 2-1 lead into the break.   The Oil Caps extended their lead to 3-1 with a power-play goal early in the second, but Winkler would fight back in the middle frame and tied the game with two goals of their own. Just past the halfway point of the period, Matt Christian scored on the power-play to cut Virden’s lead to 3-2. Lawson McDonald and Coltyn Bates assisted on Christian’s 19th of the year. Not even four minutes later, Bates then assisted on Ian Mackey’s 10th of the year to tie the game 3-3 before the end of the period.   Still with something to play for, the Oil Caps took the lead back with 6:26 gone in the third period and extended their lead to 5-3 with just over two minutes left in regulation.   However, with Winnipeg gaining a point in their shootout loss to Dauphin, the script was already written for the Flyers and Oil Caps to face off against each other in the first round of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League playoffs, causing the result of this game to be meaningless.   Cole Weaver took the loss in goal, making 26 saves on 29 shots for the Flyers. Winkler outshot Virden 36-29 overall. Winkler went 1-for-7 on the power-play and 4-for-5 on the penalty-kill.   The Flyers finished the 2016-17 MJHL regular season with a 41-16-3 record, good for second place in the league standings. The schedule for the Flyers quarter-final series against the Oil Capitals will be announced in the coming days. All playoff games can be heard live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com. The video stream is also available on www.hockeytv.com.   More information regarding playoff schedules and ticket information will be announced early in the week.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – F MACK HARDY (VIRDEN) 2ND STAR – F COLTYN BATES (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – F KIRKLAN LYCAR (VIRDEN)   GAME STATS

Troy Martyniuk stopped all 31 shots he faced as the Winkler Flyers clinched second place in the MJHL Standings with a 3-0 win over the visiting Winnipeg Blues. Martyniuk’s second straight shutout came in front of another great crowd at the Winkler Rec Complex as the Orange and Black played their second last home game of the regular season.   On the heels of a 2-0 win over the Neepawa Natives on Tuesday night, the Flyers began their final weekend of the regular season looking for their fifth win in six tries against the Blues.   It was a good opening period by the Flyers, and for the sixth time in six games against Winnipeg, the Flyers scored first. With just under three minutes left in the period, Lawson McDonald and Brett Opperman assisted on Tyler Jubenvill’s 14th of the season, giving Winkler a 1-0 lead. It was McDonald’s team leading 40th assist of the year.   The second period was another solid 20 minutes of hockey for the Flyers, but despite outshooting the Blues 20-6 in the middle frame, Winkler could not add to their lead.   Winkler began the third period by doubling their lead to 2-0, thanks to Braden Billaney’s 20th goal of the year on a partial breakaway, with Tanner Lewis and Connor Hamonic assisting on the goal. However, the better part of the third period was spent in the Flyers zone as the Blues recorded 18 of their 31 shots in the final frame.   After a 28 save shutout of Neepawa on Tuesday, Troy Martyniuk was sensational in the third, making some jaw dropping stops to keep Winnipeg off the board. The Flyers added some more insurance with 1:28 left in the game when Tanner Lewis scored into an empty Winnipeg net to push Winkler ahead by three.   Martyniuk finished the game with 31 saves as the Flyers outshot the Blues 41-31. It was Martyniuk’s second straight shutout and fifth time in his last seven starts that he’s allowed one goal or less. He also improved his record to 11-1-1 as a Flyer. Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power-play.   The Flyers (41-15-3) have now clinched second place in the MJHL Standings as they get set to host the Virden Oil Capitals in their regular season finale on Saturday night. Puck drop at the Winkler Rec Complex is 7:30pm with advance tickets available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar or at the door prior to the game. The Flyers will hand out their 2016-2017 Team Awards during an on ice ceremony prior to the game.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – G TROY MARTYNIUK (WINKLER) 2ND STAR – F BRADEN BILLANEY (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – F TANNER LEWIS (WINKLER)   GAME STATS