The Winkler Flyers are 2-1 in the opening games of the Centennial Cup.
The team punched their ticket to the national competition by winning their first MJHL title in 26 years last month, downing the Steinbach Pistons in four straight games.
In their first game of the national championship last Thursday, the Flyers downed the Sioux Lookout Bombers 4-2.
Dalton Andrew scored all four of Winkler’s goals to lead the Flyers to victory and earn himself a player of the game nod.
Malachi Klassen made 19 saves in net as the Flyers outshot the Bombers 48-19.
Game two put them up against the Melfort Mustangs Saturday. The close match saw Winkler up 2-0 after 20 minutes thanks to goals from Jakob Jones and Brody Beauchemin.
That lead became a tie in the second period when the Mustangs scored three to Winkler’s one (Connor Jensen).
Both teams found the mark twice in the third. Winkler’s came courtesy of Andrew and Zach Nicolas to force what proved to be a fruitless overtime.
The shootout went the Mustangs’ way to give them the win 6-5.
On Monday, the Flyers squared off against the Oakville Blades.
A scoreless opening frame was followed by Winkler scoring two unanswered goals in the second, courtesy of Andrew and James Richards.
Avery Anderson and Nicolas McKee fired home two empty-net goals in the game’s final minutes to give Winkler the win 4-0.
Klassen got the shutout in net, turning away all 24 shots he faced. His teammates sent 29 the other way.
The Flyers were scheduled to face off against the Miramichi Timberwolves Tuesday night. Results were not available at press time.
The playoffs get underway this weekend.
