Photo: Ryan Sawatzky
WINNIPEG, MB – A Keenan McNeill game winner was the difference on Saturday night in Winkler as the Northern Manitoba Blizzard skated to a 4-2 victory in game one, taking a 1-0 series lead over the Flyers.
The Blizzard got off to a great start on the road thanks to first period goals from Kelton Kellerman and Brett Ward. Following Ward’s powerplay marker, Andrew Morton scored shorthanded to cut the Blizzard lead in half.
It was just 40 seconds into the second period when McNeill scored what would stand as the game winner when he redirected a nice pass out front from Quincy Supprien to the back of the net. Winkler would respond on the powerplay six minutes later when Brady Craik scored his third of the postseason, cutting the lead to 3-2.
Keenan McNeill (04’) with a nice tip out in front for the @NorManBlizzJrA game-winning goal, as Northern Manitoba takes a 1-0 series lead on the road! #TurnbullCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RjClumFQVS
— MJHL (@mjhlhockey) April 6, 2025
Winkler would press in the third period and pull Leif Ekblad for the extra attacker when Hugo Larkin scored on the empty net to secure the win for the Blizzard and take a 1-0 series lead over the Flyers.
Taye Timmerman was strong in the Blizzard crease on Saturday night, stopping 22 of 24 shots while picking up his fifth straight win in the postseason.
Game two is set for Sunday night in Winkler at 7:00 inside ICON Arena. Watch live on FloHockey.
