Winnipeg, MB – Josiah Vanderhooft collected a hat trick including the game winning goal with under two minutes remaining in regulation time as the Winnipeg Blues defeated the Neepawa Natives 5-4 on Tuesday night.
The Blues were trailing 4-2 mid-way through the second period before scoring three unanswered goals, two off the stick of Vanderhooft.
The Blues would also collect goals from Rhys Raeside and Braden Fischer in the game. Raeside finished with three points (1G, 2A). Goaltender Cooper Hatfield stopped 28-of-32 shots.
Blues 5Â Neepawa 4
Below is a rundown of the score sheet:
First Period
| Score | Team | Time | Goal | Assist(s) |
| 0-1 | Neepawa | 8:51 | Ethan Smith | B. Hilhorst, B. Gillies |
| 0-2 | Neepawa | 11:51 | Cooper Morris | E. Lieffers |
| 1-2 | Winnipeg | 17:31 | Josiah Vanderhooft | D. Jowett |
Second Period
| Score | Team | Time | Goal | Assist(s) |
| 1-3 | Neepawa | 0:16 | Cooper Morris | N. Driver |
| 2-3 | Winnipeg | 2:57 | Rhys Raeside | B. Fischer, M. Sartor |
| 2-4 SH | Neepawa | 10:25 | Benoit Mowbray | Unassisted |
| 3-4 PP | Winnipeg | 16:39 | Josiah Vanderhooft | J. Oleksiuk, R. Raeside |
Third Period
| Score | Team | Time | Goal | Assist(s) |
| 4-4 | Winnipeg | 4:13 | Rhys Raeside | Unassisted |
| 5-4 PP | Winnipeg | 18:15 | Mikol Sartor | C. Tiede |
Special Teams
| Team | PP | PK |
| Winnipeg | 2/4 | 2/2 |
| Neepawa | 0/2 | 2/4 |
Shots on Goal
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
| Winnipeg | 8 | 14 | 10 | 32 |
| Neepawa | 10 | 13 | 12 | 35 |
The Winnipeg Blues look for two wins in a row when they host the Winkler Flyers on Friday, September 27. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. CT.