The Orange and Black scored three times in the third period in a 3-1 win over the visiting Steinbach Pistons on Tuesday night, in their final regular season meeting of the year. Coming off a shootout loss to Waywayseecappo three nights earlier, the Flyers got back in the win column against one of their biggest rivals in the MJHL.
With two wins, two losses and an overtime loss in their five previous meetings against the Pistons, the Flyers welcomed the Pistons to the Winkler Recreation Complex for their sixth and final meeting of the regular season. The game was a very entertaining, physical affair featuring two of the top teams in the league both offensively and defensively.
At the tail end of a back and forth first period, the Pistons took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Dan Taillefer with 2:05 left to play in the frame. Steinbach outshot Winkler 14-12 in the period.
The score remained the same through 40 minutes, despite the visitors outshooting the Flyers 14-9 in the period. Connor Slipp, who was back between the pipes for the Flyers made a number of very timely saves, keeping his team within striking distance.
The Flyers finally broke the goose egg with their first goal early in the third. Just 1:41 into the period, Cam Whyte was the recipient of some nice passing by Kayden Jarvis and Tristan Keck and the Virden native tied the game with his 18th goal of the season.
With the game now tied, both teams traded chances in search of the go ahead goal. It was the Flyers that would score next to move in front for the first time in the game. With just over eight minutes left in regulation, and with the Flyers buzzing around the Pistons net, the puck kicked out to defenseman Jordan Wall who stepped into a one-timer to give Winkler a 2-1 lead. Coltyn Bates and Scott Gall assisted on Wall’s second of the season.
Both Connor Slipp (Winkler) and Roman Bengert (Steinbach) had been playing tremendously in goal for their respective teams, and that carried into the final minutes with the Flyers looking for some insurance and the Pistons looking to tie the game.
With Bengert on the bench in favor of the extra attacker in the final minute, Tristan Keck found a loose puck in the neutral zone and scored his 18th into the empty Pistons net to give Winkler a two goal lead with just 16 seconds left on the clock. With a goal and assist in the game, Keck increased his point streak to 10 games.
Connor Slipp made 36 saves in goal for Winkler, improving his record to 11-0. The Pistons outshot Winkler 37-35 in the game. Both teams went 0-for-1 on the power-play.
The second place Flyers (21-4-2) will host the first place Portage Terriers (23-4-1) on Friday, December 4th in a battle of the top two clubs in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Winkler is 1-0 vs Portage this season.
The Flyers will be donating their gate revenue and 50-50 proceeds during that game to assist with the recovery and on-going care of Terriers’ defenseman Braden Pettinger who was paralyzed during a fall into the boards during a game on November 12th. Your support in very much appreciated.
Game time Friday night is 7:30pm.
Stay tuned on Wednesday for the announcement of the Flyers updated roster after the completion of the December 1st roster cut down deadline. Each team in the MJHL must get down to 25 roster spots while at the same time, leaving a number of spots open for any moves made prior to the January 10th trading deadline.
Great Canadian Oil Change Three Stars
1st Star – D Jordan Wall (Winkler)
2nd Star – G Connor Slipp (Winkler)
3rd Star – G Roman Bengert (Steinbach)