The Winkler Flyers doubled up the OCN Blizzard 4-2 on Saturday night in game two of their MJHL Quarterfinal series and now hold a 2-0 series lead headed back home for game’s three and four. Matt Christian scored a pair of power-play goals and Troy Martyniuk was in top form between the pipes helping Winkler take the first two games of the series on the road.

After a thrilling double overtime victory in game one on Friday night, the Flyers were back in OCN on Saturday night looking to replicate their effort from the night before. Just like they did in game one, the Flyers got off to a great start and took a 1-0 lead early in the first period. Taking the pass from defenseman Erik Dahl, Griffin Leonard let a shot go from the top of circle that found the top corner just 2:17 into the game.

Winkler quickly doubled their lead to 2-0 just a few minutes later when Connor Beebe fired the puck through the legs of Blizzard goaltender Emilien Boily, scoring his first goal as a Flyer. Dahl and Leonard picked up the assists. The Flyers good first period got even better when Matt Christian scored a power-play goal late in the period giving Winkler a 3-0 lead headed into the break.

The Blizzard pushed back in the second period and cut Winkler’s lead to 3-1 on a Riley Bruce goal in the opening minute. The home team struck again in the final minute of the period when Bruce beat Martyniuk on a two-on-one to bring OCN to within a goal with his second of the game.

The Flyers maintained their one goal advantage into the second half of the final frame as the Blizzard went looking for the equalizer. OCN, who led the MJHL in penalty minutes during the regular season got into some trouble with 7:30 left in the game sending Winkler back to the power-play. After a scramble in front of the Winkler net, the Flyers were given a seven minute power-play after an altercation after the whistle.

Winkler made the Blizzard pay with just over two minutes left on the clock when Weiland Parrish made a nice play to get the puck to Matt Christian in front of the net and the Flyers regular season leading scorer put home his second of the game to make the score 4-2 for Winkler. That would be all the Flyers would need as they would hold onto their two goal lead right to the end and now have a 2-0 series lead heading back home for the next two games.

Troy Martyniuk was fantastic in goal for Winkler making 41 saves including a couple of game changers in the third. Winkler outshot OCN 48-43 overall. Winkler was 1-for-6 on the power-play and 6-for-6 on the penalty-kill.

The Flyers will host the Blizzard in Game Three on Tuesday night. Puck drop at the Winkler Rec Complex is 7:30pm with advance tickets available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar, Petro Canada Gas Bar or at the door prior to the game. You can also catch the game live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com with Darrell Wheeler’s pregame show at 7:25pm.

The first 1000 fans through the door on Tuesday will receive a free seat cushion from Quality Inn and CK’s Lounge.

GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1ST STAR – F MATT CHRISTIAN (WINKLER)
2ND STAR – F TROY MARTYNIUK (WINKLER)
3RD STAR – F CONNOR BEEBE (WINKLER)

GAME STATS