Scott Gall and Tristan Keck accounted all five Flyers’ goals in a 5-4 win over the Blues in Winnipeg in their second exhibition game of the season. With a few more vets in the lineup, the Flyers outshot the Blues 35-17 en route to their first win of the preseason.
As if they were following the same script from the night before, the Flyers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Just 1:37 into the opening period, Scott Gall scored his first of three on the night from Zak Hicks and Thomas Mansbridge to give Winkler the 1-0 advantage. Just three and a half minutes later Cam Whyte and Kayden Jarvis assisted on Tristan Keck’s first to push the Flyers ahead 2-0.
Before the end of the period, Liam Kroeker put the Blues on the board, beating Flyers starter Ryan Larochelle and the Flyers lead was cut to 2-1 with Winkler outshooting the home side 14-4 through 20 minutes.
Winnipeg forward Taeron Lewis pulled his club even with a goal at the one minute mark of the second but that is as close as the Blues would get to victory. Just 1:25 after Winnipeg’s second goal, Thomas Mansbridge found Scott Gall in the slot and the third year Flyer went 5-hole to put Winkler back in front 3-2.
Gall completed the hat-trick with 2:09 left to play in the second, scoring his third of the game with Alex Bouchard drawing the lone assist. Winkler’s lead was now 4-2. Former Pembina Valley Hawks goaltender Travis Klassen, who replaced Larochelle midway through the second, was beaten in the final minute of the period as Winnipeg had pulled back to within a goal through 40 minutes.
The Flyers regained their two goal cushion with their second power-play goal of the contest to start the third. Again it was last year’s league MVP, Tristan Keck scoring his second of the game with Thomas Mansbridge picking up his third assist and Zak Hicks his second.
Winnipeg would get one more before the end but the Flyers would hang out for the 5-4 win while outshooting the Blues 35-17. Both Ryan Larochelle and Travis Klassen allowed two goals on the seven shots they faced respectively.
The Flyers, who are now (1-1) in preseason play, will travel to Portage to play the Terriers on Friday, September 11th in their next game. Winkler will then host the Terriers on Sunday, September 13th in the second game of the home and home.