The Winkler Flyers scored five second period goals in a span of five minutes and four seconds on their way to a 7-1 win over the visiting Selkirk Steelers on Sunday night. After giving up the first goal of the game, the Flyers replied with seven of their own to pick up their 12th win in their last 13 games.

Sunday night’s game featured two of the hottest teams in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, as the Flyers entered play having won 11 of their last 12 games, with their only loss during that stretch coming against Selkirk. The Steelers on the other hand were on a nine game winning streak and sat just two points back of Winkler in the standings.

The first period was a back a forth affair with both teams getting their chances. Selkirk leading scorer Connor Barley put the visitors on the board first with a power-play goal late in the frame and the Flyers trailed 1-0 after the first. It was the third time in their last five games that the Flyers entered the first intermission down in the game.

The second period is where the game turned around for Winkler and it started with a power-play goal by Weiland Parrish just over eight minutes into the middle frame. After Matt Christian won the faceoff in the Steelers’ zone, Brady Pupp’s point shot kicked off the leg of a Steeler defenseman and right to Parrish who potted his sixth of the year and third in his last two games.

Just 91 seconds later, the Flyers took the lead on a great individual effort from Nolan McGuire who circled the puck around the Selkirk zone before ripping home his team leading 13th of the year. The Flyers weren’t done there as Coltyn Bates and Matt Christian would assist on Brett Opperman’s  third of the year on the man advantage just 36 seconds later and Winkler had a 3-1 lead. The assist increased Bates’ season opening point streak to 10 games.

The Flyers offensive outburst continued when Bates put home his eighth of the year not even a minute later and Winkler’s lead had quickly grown to three goals. That would be the end of the night for Poiron, who was replaced by Hayden Dola between the pipes for Selkirk. Things didn’t get much better for the visitors though, as Winkler took a 4-1 lead thanks to McGuire’s second of the game and 14th of the year with 6:53 left in the period. All five of Winkler’s goals in the period came in a span of five minutes and four seconds and they took their 5-1 lead into the third.

The goals kept coming in the third period and it took just 65 seconds for the Flyers to add their sixth goal. This time it was Collin Caulfield and Mitch Dyck assisting on Cole Kirkup’s fourth of the year and second in as many games. It was also Winkler’s third goal on the power-play. Later in the period, the Flyers added their fourth power-play goal of the night, and it came off the stick of Brody Moffatt, who redirected Matt Christian’s centering pass to push Winkler in front 7-1. It was Christian’s fourth assist of the game and team leading 19th helper of the year. Brady Pupp also earned his third assist of the game on Moffatt’s third tally of the season. Winkler would go on to win the game 7-1, picking up their fifth victory in a row and 12th win in their last 13 games. The Flyers improved their overall record to 12-3 and improved their record to 8-2 on home ice.

Lost in all the offense, was the play of goaltender Troy Martyniuk (8-3) and the Winkler defense. The 20 year old netminder made many key stops along the way to keep momentum on the Flyers side. The Flyers outshot Selkirk 32-27. Winkler was a stellar 4-for-5 on the power-play and 1-for-2 on the penalty-kill.

The Flyers (12-3) will host the Winnipeg Blues (5-9-2) on Tuesday, October 31st in their next game. The Flyers are 2-0 against Winnipeg this season. Puck drop at the Winkler Recreation Complex is 7:30pm. Advance tickets are available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar, the Petro Canada Gas Bar and at the door prior to the game. Come to the game dressed up in your Halloween Costume for a chance to win some great prizes. If you are unable to make it, you watch stream the game live on www.hockeytv.com.

GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS

1ST STAR – F NOLAN MCGUIRE (WINKLER)

2ND STAR – F MATT CHRISTIAN (WINKLER)

3RD STAR – D BRADY PUPP (WINKLER)

 

FULL PHOTO GALLERY AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS CLICK HERE

 

GAME STATS