{"slides_column":"2","slides_scroll":"1","dots":"false","arrows":"true","autoplay":"true","autoplay_interval":"5000","loop":"true","rtl":"false","speed":"2000","center_mode":"false"}

Weekend Recap: Winkler Flyers Dominate Stampeders, Battle Hard Against Kings

Weekend Recap: Winkler Flyers Dominate Stampeders, Battle Hard Against Kings

The Winkler Flyers had a strong weekend, pulling off two dominant wins over the Swan Valley Stampeders before coming up short in a close game against the Dauphin Kings.

Friday: Flyers 9, Stampeders 2
The Flyers opened the weekend with a commanding 9-2 win over Swan Valley, showcasing their prowess as top contenders in the MGEU East Division. Jayce Legaarden got things going with the opening goal, while Brady Craik added two more to keep his scoring streak alive. Goalie Liam Ernst turned aside 19 of the Stampeders’ 21 shots, and the Flyers outshot Swan Valley 56-21 in a one-sided affair.

Saturday: Flyers 7, Stampeders 4
Winkler faced an early setback Saturday, trailing 3-0 before rallying to a 7-4 victory. Blake Matheson, Connor Jensen, and Nicholas Mckee scored to erase the deficit, and Legaarden added two more in the third period to seal the win. The Flyers’ power play was clicking, converting twice, while goaltender Rylan Benner made 21 saves.

Sunday: Kings 2, Flyers 1
Sunday’s game against the Dauphin Kings was a battle. Winkler struck first with Legaarden’s 10th goal of the season, but Dauphin answered with a power-play goal to level the score. Despite 35 shots on net, Winkler couldn’t solve Kings’ goalie Cole Sheffield, who made 34 saves. A third-period goal from Joshua Schmidt gave Dauphin the 2-1 edge.

The Flyers’ performance underscored their third-place position in the East Division, now holding a 9-4-0 record, 59 goals scored, and a league best +31 goal differential. Rookies Will Lyons and Max Lavoie continue to show promise in their first season with the team. Lyons scored his first junior goal against Swan Valley and has registered three points (1G, 2A) over four games, while Lavoie has contributed 12 points (2G, 10A) in 13 games played. Their contributions will be vital as the Flyers look to build on their successful start to the season.

Meanwhile, Jayce Legaarden has emerged as the team leader in goals, netting 10 already this season. Brady Craik is also proving to be a significant asset, tallying 12 points (6G, 6A) in just 13 games, showcasing his skill and playmaking ability. With established players like Legaarden and Craik, along with promising rookies like Lyons and Lavoie, the Flyers are well-positioned to continue their strong performance as the season progresses.