The Winkler Flyers put out a great effort in OCN on Saturday night, but were forced to settle for a 2-0 loss to the home town Blizzard. Entering the game in a fourth place tie with OCN, the Flyers now find themselves looking up at the Blizzard in the standings with the start of the post-season not that far in the future.
After dropping a 3-2 decision in Swan Valley the night before, the Flyers made the journey north to OCN with sole possession of fourth place in the standings on the line.
The first few minutes of the game belonged to OCN as they caught the Flyers on their heals to start the game. The Blizzard struck first when Tony Apetagon took the centering feed from Anthony Keeper and beat Winkler starter Troy Martyniuk just over five minutes into the game.
Winkler finished the first period well and seemed to carry some momentum into the second. The Flyers pushed the pace in the middle frame and had a number of great chances to score but either goaltender Emilien Boily or the Blizzard defenders managed to keep the puck from crossing line at every opportunity.
The Blizzard managed to double their lead with one of their only good chances of the period and Winkler entered the third period down 2-0. The final period consisted on more Winkler chances and more missed opportunities and the Flyers were forced to settle for the loss despite playing a really solid road game.
Troy Martyniuk took the loss as Winkler outshot OCN 26-21. Winkler was 0-for-4 on the power-play and 2-for-2 on the penalty-kill.
The Flyers (28-20-0) will look to salvage their weekend road trip with a Sunday afternoon matinee in Waywayseecappo. Puck drop at the Waywayseecappo Arena is 4pm with Matt Friesen’s pregame show getting underway live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com at 3:55pm.
GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1ST STAR – G EMILIEN BOILY (OCN)
2ND STAR – F COLTYN BATES (WINKLER)
3RD STAR – F TONY APETAGON (OCN)
GAME STATS