Dawson Green’s 28 save shutout guided the Winnipeg Blues to a 1-0 win over the Winkler Flyers.
Winkler and Winnipeg have developed a nasty rivalry this season, and they put it on full display for the crowd in the first.
The two teams refused to back down from one another as the playoffs have brought this rivalry to another level.
Neither team could get a goal in the first; Winkler led the shot clock 6-5.
Winkler got into penalty trouble in the second, but the Flyers successfully killed all of them off, including a 1:42 stretch of five-on-three time.
At the other end, Green made some big saves to keep the game scoreless going into the third.
Winnipeg had to grit their teeth and fight through an early flurry from the Flyers to start the final frame, biding their time for their chance.
With 5:46 to go in the game, Eric Fawkes went bar down to break the tie and give the Blues the lead.
From there, Winnipeg locked down and held on for the 1-0 win to even the series 1-1. Dawson Green got his first postseason win and shutout in the same effort.
The Flyers and Blues resume the best-of-seven Wednesday, March 30 at the RINK Training Centre. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. for game three action.