The Winkler Flyers scored two goals in the first period and two more in the third in a 4-2 win over the visiting Waywayseecappo Wolverines on Saturday night. Scott Gall, Thomas Mansbridge and Jordan Williamson recorded two points each and Clarke Flegel picked up the win in goal to help the Flyers earn their eighth victory in 11 games.
Looking to put their Friday night loss in Steinbach behind them, the Flyers returned home for their first meeting of the season against the Wayway Wolverines who were coming off a win in Selkirk the night before.
It was a good start for the Orange and Black, building up a 2-0 lead in the first 15 minutes of the game. Jeff Michiels scored 6:35 into the first, finishing off a nice cross ice pass from Tristan Keck and Winkler was on the board. Lawson McDonald also assisted on Michiels’ fifth of the year. Michiels scored three goals all of last season.
The Flyers second goal came off the stick of rookie forward Tarek Paranica with 5:57 left in the period. His shot from the top of the faceoff circle scooted under the pad of Wayway goalie Brandon Holtby, giving Winkler a 2-0 lead. Braden Billaney and Dionne Demke assisted on the Grand Forks native’s first as a Flyer.
However, just over a minute and a half later, Wolverines’ forward Brett Opperman scored to cut Winkler’s lead to 2-1. Overall, it was a good opening 20 minutes for the Flyers who outshot Wayway 14-5 in the period.
The second period saw the Flyers continue to get chances on goal but the Wolverines netminder managed to turn them aside. With just 22 seconds to play in the middle frame, Alex Keena scored the Wolverines second goal and the game was tied 2-2 through 40 minutes.
Despite being outshot 15-9 in the third period, the Flyers put the game away with a pair of big goals. Just past the three minute mark, Scott Gall carried the puck out of the corner and potted his sixth of the season putting Winkler back in front 3-2. Thomas Mansbridge and Jordan Williamson assisted.
Then with 8:54 to play in regulation, the same three players were in on a power-play goal to give the Flyers a 4-2 advantage. It was Gall and Williamson assisting on Mansbridge’s fourth of the season.
That would be all the Flyers would need to pick up their eighth win of the season. Clarke Flegel made 26 saves while improving his record to 3-0. In his three starts this season, the 18 year old rookie goaltender is sporting a 1.67 goals against average and a .940 save percentage.
Winkler went 1-for-4 on the power-play in the hockey game and 2-for-2 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers, who remain in second place in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League standings with a record of 8-2-1, will begin a three game northern road trip in OCN on Thursday, October 22nd. Winkler will also play Swan Valley on Friday, October 23rd and Virden on Saturday, October 24th as part of the road trip. All three games can be heard on Country 88.9FM or online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com with Matt Friesen’s pregame show getting underway five minutes prior to game time.
GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1st Star – Scott Gall – Winkler (1 goal – 1 assist)
2nd Star – Thomas Mansbridge – Winkler (1 goal – 1 assist)
3rd Star – Alex Keena – Waywayseecappo (1 goal – 1 assist)