The Winkler Flyers lost a hard fought 2-0 decision in OCN on Saturday night, losing for just the third time in regulation in their last 18 games. Despite outshooting the Blizzard 35-26 in the game, 15-5 in the third period alone, the Flyers failed to find the back of the net in the middle game of their three game weekend road trip.

After beating the Swan Valley Stampeders 5-1 the night before, Winkler made their final regular season trip to OCN, a team they had beat in three of their previous four meetings.

The two teams traded chances in a fast and physical opening period and the game went scoreless into the second. The second period was just as entertaining of the first and the Blizzard opened the scoring on the power-play just after the midway point of the period.

Throughout the course of the game, the Flyers had a number of great chances but the Blizzard defense seemed to snuff out those chances just in the nick of time.

With Winkler getting close to drawing even in the third period, OCN scored the insurance goal they needed with just under six minutes left in regulation. Even though the Flyers pulled their goaltender in the final two minutes, they couldn’t find the back of the net, losing the game 2-0.

Cole Weaver played well but took the loss in goal as the Flyers outshot the Blizzard 35-26. Winkler went 0-for-1 on the power-play and 2-for-3 on the penalty-kill.

The second place Flyers (32-12-2) will finish off their road trip Sunday night in Neepawa (12-26-5). Puck drop at the Yellowhead Centre in Neepawa is 6:30pm. The pregame show on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com gets underway at 6:25pm.

Great Canadian Oil Change Three Stars

1st Star – F Anthony Keeper (OCN)

2nd Star – F Tristan Elie (OCN)

3rd Star – D Lawson McDonald (Winkler)

GAME STATS