The Winkler Flyers kicked off the 2017-18 MJHL pre-season with a 4-2 win over the visiting Winnipeg Blues.

Wyatt Emes made 41 saves on 43 shots, and defenseman Drake Burgin scored twice in the first game of Winkler’s six-game exhibition schedule.

Getting their first taste of competition, both the Flyers and Blues dressed a line-up full of youngsters who were still trying to earn their spot on the roster. Emes kept the Flyers in the game early on, as the two teams played a scoreless first period, despite Winkler being outshot 14-4.

The Flyers drew first blood midway through the second, when Burgin took the pass from Jordan Keck and buried his first of two goals in the game.

With 3:04 gone in the third, Burgin struck again to double Winkler’s lead to 2-0. Riley Johnson picked up the lone assist. The Flyers offense rolled after that, as former Winnipeg Thrashers Carter Ives and Trent Halfdanson both scored in the next seven minutes to expand Winkler’s lead to 4-0.

Winnipeg tacked on a power-play goal with 5:27 to play, and cut the Flyers’ lead to 4-2 with just seconds left in regulation.

Emes made 41 saves in the victory, as the Blues outshot the Flyers 43-24. Winkler went 0-for-3 on the power-play and 5-for-6 on the penalty-kill.

The Flyers next pre-season game is Friday night (September 8th) when the Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) come to town for Game One of the second annual Goose Cup. Puck drop at the Winkler Rec Complex is 7:30pm. Once again, admission will be free thanks to the support of Crocus Real Estate. At the game, you will have the ability to support Katie Cares and the great work they do in the community.

GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1ST STAR – D DRAKE BURGIN (Winkler)
2ND STAR – G WYATT EMES (Winkler)
3RD STAR – F TRENT HALFDANSON (Winkler)

GAME STATS