In just their 3rd meeting this season with each team coming away with a win, Portage was able to overcome a slow start to pull away in the 2nd period.
Winkler took the early lead when Halfdanson was the recipient of a lucky bounce and made the most of it. Captain Chase Brakel evened things up on the powerplay a couple minutes later.
Brady Pupp restored the Flyers’ lead moments later with a shot from the blueline. With 2:38 left in the frame, Cody Thompson found Jacob Brown on the wall who fed Mackenzie Dwyer rushing the net a perfect pass to once again draw even.
After a 2-2, 8 shots a piece first frame, Portage scored 2 in the first 3 and a half minutes of the second.
Ryan Sokoloski sauced the perfect pass to Jeremey Leipsic to put him on the breakaway for the eventual game winning goal just 1:37 in. Soon after on the powerplay Sokoloski netted a goal of his own to put the Dogs up by two.
Portage controlled much of the play in the second and outshot the second place Flyers 15-9.
Winkler came out in the third with a strong effort to get back in the game, but were unable to capitalize on 2 powerplays and the extra attacker with their goalie on the bench at the end of the 3rd. Chase Brakel slammed the door shut with a short handed empty netter with 1:12 to go.
Petersen picks up the win with 22 saves.
Portage heads to Winkler tonight where the Flyers will no doubt be looking to even things up with a win. Tune in to Hockey TV for a 7:30pm puck drop.