Aiken faces 41 shots in Winkler. – File Photo
The Terriers fell to the Flyers last night in Winkler tying the Flyers at 3 games apiece in the regular season. Each game being won by the home team.
Winkler’s crowd got in to the game early as Scott Gall found the back of the net just 31 seconds in to the game. The marker would hold as the only point in the first 20 minutes.
Portage tied things up in the 2nd on a goal from Jeremey Leipsic, his 18th of the season. Gall would once again strike for the Flyers to put them ahead with a powerplay goal just passed the halfway point. Brakel beat Weaver to once again draw even with the home team, but it was short lived as Michiels scored the go ahead goal.
“It really seemed that every time we would score a goal and get something going we would take a penalty and (Winkler) would find the back of the net,” says Terriers’ Assistant Coach Paul Harland.
Winkler Captain Connor Hamonic scored his first of the season for the Flyers on the powerplay just 1:44 in to the final frame giving Winkler a 2 goal cushion. Chase Brakel buried his 2nd of the night to pull within one, but even with the Aiken on the bench and the extra attacker in the last minute, the Terriers were unable to tie the game.
Winkler outshot the dogs 41-27 on the night and went 2 for 5 on the powerplay. Brock Aiken records the loss, playing a strong game making 37 saves.
The Terriers head into the break in 4th place with 46 points. Leading the league with 57 points is Steinbach followed by Winkler -50 and OCN – 47.
“We’re pleased with how well our young team has done this season,” says Harland. “Plus with the stretch of injuries we had earlier in the year a lot of young guys got some valuable playing time out of it. That will really help their development here moving on.”
The Terriers next game is an afternoon game on New Year’s Eve versus the Virden Oil Capitals.