On Sunday night, the Niverville Nighthawks and Winkler Flyers faced off for the second time in a single weekend, this time in Winkler—and the rematch didn’t disappoint.

It was a much different contest from Friday’s 4–2 win in Niverville, which was more one-sided in the Nighthawks’ favour. This time, the Flyers jumped out to an early lead. The teams went back-and-forth exchanging leads all night long.

In the end, the overtime hero was Loic Leduc, giving the Nighthawks a 5–4 win.

The Flyers came out strong in the first period. An early power play gave them the chance to strike first and they took full advantage. On a quick counterattack, Connor Rieger found William Lyons, who was heading toward the Nighthawks’ net. Lyons found the gap between the glove and pad of Niverville netminder Austin Dubinsky to give the Flyers the lead. It was first goal of the season.

However, the Nighthawks responded a few minutes later. Merik Boles tied the game with his third of the season when his centring pass deflected off a Flyers defenceman’s skate and got by Winkler goalie Leif Ekblad.

The second period opened much like the first, with Winkler once again striking early. Just 33 seconds in, Rieger picked up his second point of the game when he received a perfect drop pass from Trevor Dalton in the slot. He made no mistake, lifting a shot over Dubinsky’s blocker to put the Flyers back on top, 2–1.

This was the first of five total goals scored in the middle frame between the two clubs. 

Niverville once again tied things up as Adam Vigfusson fired a one-timer from the right circle. Although Ekblad stopped it, the rebound came loose and Dawson Zeller was in the right place at the right time to knock in the equalizer.

The Nighthawks took their first lead of the game at the midway point of the second period when Thomas Phillips found Hayden Wheddon at the Flyers’ blue line. Wheddon skated in and ripped a shot over Ekblad’s glove, giving Niverville a 3–2 advantage.

The Nighthawks didn’t have much time to enjoy their lead. Only 53 seconds later, the Flyers caused a turnover in the Nighthawks’ zone and Rieger tallied once again, firing a shot past Dubinsky from the left circle.

Winkler kept the momentum in their favour after the goal, forcing Dubinsky to make a few clutch saves.

As the period neared its end, though, the Nighthawks capitalized. With just over a minute remaining, Luke Makenzie picked up his first goal of the season, firing a shot past Ekblad to give Niverville a 4–3 lead heading into the third.

The Nighthawks had some chances to extend their lead in the third period, but Ekblad continued his stellar play, keeping the Flyers within striking distance. His efforts were rewarded when Liam Carlone moved around his defender at the Nighthawks blue line, skated toward Dubinsky, and outwaited him before sliding the puck in the net to tie the game yet again with four minutes remaining.

The Flyers were then handed a crucial penalty. Rookie Graeme Pickering was given a four-minute minor for high-sticking with two minutes left. Niverville’s potent power play had a chance to end the game, but Ekblad stood tall once again, sending the game to overtime.

Overtime Drama

Both teams had numerous opportunities to finish the game, but it was Niverville that found the back of the net when it mattered most. Zeller nearly won the game early, but Flyers defender Owen Wallace made a desperation clearance off the line to keep the game tied.

Later in overtime, Pickering executed a gorgeous toe drag in the slot, attempting to beat Dubinsky with a shot over his glove. However, the 20-year-old goaltender from Ardrossan, Alberta came up with a spectacular save with his left shoulder.

Pickering, from St. Adolphe, was making his MJHL debut on Sunday night after being reassigned to Winkler by the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels earlier in the week.

Moments after the big save by Dubinsky, Leduc delivered the overtime winner. He intercepted a pass at the Nighthawks’ blue line and knocked it forward. After gathering the loose puck just inside the Flyers zone, Leduc skated in alone and calmly lifted a backhand over Ekblad’s glove, securing the victory for Niverville.

By the Numbers

The Nighthawks improve to a perfect 5–0–0 on the season, while the Flyers drop to 1–4–1.

Leduc extended his goal streak with the overtime winner and has now scored in each of the first five games of the season for Niverville.

Carrier added two assists in the game, bringing his season total to five points (two goals, three assists), including four points in his last two games.

Vigfusson (two goals, four assists) had a multi-point night, tying him with Boles (three goals, three assists) and Evan Panzer (one goal, five assists) for the team lead in points with six.

Winkler’s Rieger (two goals, one assist) had a strong performance, finishing with three points while scoring his first two goals of the season.

Dalton chipped in with two assists, pushing his season total to five points (two goals, three assists). Dalton had 10 points in 45 games last season with the Flyers.

Looking Ahead

The Nighthawks now have a few days off before returning to action. They’ll travel to Neepawa on Friday night to face the Titans before heading back to the CRRC for a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Dauphin Kings. Puck drop for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.