Flyers' Centennial Cup dreams crushed by Calgary Canucks – Winnipeg Free Press

It's been a season to remember for the Winkler Flyers. Unfortunately for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League champions, it ended in disappointment Friday night in Ontario.

A 4-2 loss to the Calgary Canucks left the Flyers three wins short of winning the Centennial Cup, the prestigious national title awarded in Junior A hockey.

“Give our guys a ton of credit,” said a very proud head coach Justin Faulk Free press in a telephone interview from Oakville. “It's been a lot of experience and growth for these young guys.”

After going 2-0-2 in the 10-team round and advancing to the six-team playoffs by finishing third in their pool, the Flyers faced a tough quarterfinal opponent in the form of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. winners, they finished second in their pool with a 3-1 record.

Calgary scored with two seconds left in the first period to take a 1-0 lead, then doubled that advantage with a shorthanded goal with less than seven minutes left in the middle.

Forward Mike Swenson cut the deficit in half at 13:57, and winger Zach Nicholas (who set up Swenson) tied the score a minute into the second period.

“It wasn't the start we wanted, but the guys responded well in the second,” Faulk said.

Some sloppy play proved costly as Winkler drew a charging and foul charge at the same time with 38 seconds left in the frame. Calgary turned a five-on-three into a four-on-three with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but scored the go-ahead goal 26 seconds into the third with new ice and plenty of extra players. room.

This proves to be a game winner. The Canucks took the lead minutes later, and the Flyers couldn't pull off another two-goal rally.

“In the third game, we created quality chances and had a good press, but we just couldn't find a way,” Falk said.

Winkler goaltender Malachi Klassen certainly did his best, stopping 32 of 36 shots, including 20 of 21, in the first period. His teammates, on the other hand, had 23 shots on goal.

Winkler went 42-11-5 during the MJHL regular season, second in the East Division behind the Steinbach Pistons. The Flyers then went 12-3 in the playoffs, defeating the Portage Terriers (4-1), the Virden Oil Capitals (4-2) and the Pistons (4-0) to win the Turnbull Cup and represent Manitoba in the national tournament. For the first time in 32 years.

Portage became the last Manitoba club to win the Centennial Cup in 2015.

Calgary now advances to today's semifinals. The remaining teams are the Saskatchewan champions (Melfort Mustangs), the Ontario champions (Collingwood Blues) and the Mariners (Miramichi Timberwolves).

[email protected]

X: @mikemcintyrewpg

Mike McIntyre
Sports reporter

Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when this dream failed, he tried his best to become a professional writer.

Read full bio

Our newsroom depends on the readership that fuels our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on our readership to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.