Special teams played a big role Sunday night, as two powerplay markers helped the Winkler Flyers to a 4-3 victory over the Portage Terriers in Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) action.

"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.

The Flyers got their fans involved early thanks to a goal from Scott Gall 31 seconds into the game. The Dogs had one chance in the first on the powerplay, but weren't able to find any success.

Four goals were scored in the second period. Jeremy Leipsic tied the game 1-1 around the seven-minute mark, but Winkler answered back with a powerplay goal a few minutes later. Again, the Terriers would climb back and knot the score, when Chase Brakel netted his first of the night. The Flyers, however, would add one more with just over two minutes to go in the period to reclaim their one-goal lead. They outshot the Terriers 27-17 after 40 minutes.

Portage ran into some trouble to start the third, as Jordan Thomson was sent off for tripping not even a minute in. Flyers' Captain Connor Hamonic notched their second powerplay marker of the night a minute into the man-advantage. It looked like a comeback was in the works when Brakel scored his second of the night to get the Terriers within a goal, but that's as close as they would get.

The Terriers and Flyers finished the year even in the season series. Heading into the Christmas Break, the Terriers sit in fourth-place with 46 points. "We're pleased with how well we've done, as we have a young team this season," says Harland. "Also, with the stretch of injuries we had earlier in the year, a lot of young guys got valuable playing time. And that will really help their development (moving forward)."

The Steinbach Pistons sit in first with 57 points, Winkler's in second with 50 points, and the OCN Blizzard are in third-place with 47 points. Get the full standings here.