The battle between the top two teams in the Addison Divison did not go the Flyers way as they fell 7-2 to the first place Steelers in the Selkirk. The Steelers scored four powerplay goals against a Flyer team that spent nearly a third of the game in the penalty box.

 

The Orange and Black entered the game looking to move to within a point of the division lead and keep the momentum going from their 5-3 win in Dauphin back on Tuesday. They failed to do both.

 

Just over a minute into the game, Flyers forward Jory Mullin was on the receiving end of a knee on knee collision with Colan Jackson. Jackson was given a five minute penalty and a game misconduct while Mullin had to leave the game and didn’t return.

 

The Steelers were the first to get on the scoreboard as Craig Scott scored midway through the first period. Seth Ronsberg scored his sixth of the year from Taylor Wells and Troy Kliever on the powerplay a few minutes later to tie the game at one.

 

The Flyers outshot the Steelers 10-5 through 20 minutes but unfortunately for Winkler, the Steelers started the second with a five on three powerplay.

 

And on that powerplay the Steelers took the lead back for good. It was one of four goals the Steelers scored in the second as the Flyers struggled to get any flow going. They took five more penalties in the second.

 

Reigning MJHL Player of the Week Joel Ridgeway made it 6-1 for the Steelers early in the third with a short handed goal. Michael Wilgosh got the Flyers a bit closer during that same powerplay scoring his 10th of the year from Jordan Neduzak and Chapen Leblond.

 

The Steelers scored yet another powerplay goal later in the period to complete their 7-2 victory and increase their lead over the Flyers to five points for first place in the Addison Division.

 

Head Coach John Marks says the loss wasn’t because the team got out worked, it was because they got out smarted. He adds they carried the play five on five but were unable to play with any flow or use their speed game due to playing short handed so much of the time.

 

Peter Alexander made 27 saves as the Flyers outshot the Steelers 39-34.

 

The Flyers went 2/5 on the powerplay while the Steelers scored four of their seven goals on the man advantage.

 

The Flyers will need a win at home on Saturday night over the Steelers to avoid falling behind even more in the race for first place in the division.

 

Puck drop on Saturday night for the Flyers and Steelers rematch is 7:30 p.m.

 

The Flyers have also been bitten by the injury bug as of late. Jory Mullin, who was injured on Jackson’s kneeing penalty is being re-evaluated. Defensemen Jeff Clark and James Buttermore are also nursing various injuries. In other news, the Flyers have released defenseman Gabe West from their roster.

 

Daniel Fainman will serve the second of his two game suspension on Saturday. He was suspended for two games by the MJHL for his head check penalty in Dauphin.

 

Click here to view game sheet.