WINKLER, MB - The Dauphin Kings played their first game after the Christmas break Friday and they looked like a team coming off a long layoff in a 5-4 loss to the Winkler Flyers.

Dauphin's starts to each period is where the team struggled Friday. The club allowed a goal in the first three minutes in all periods in the contest.

In the opening frame Dauphin gave up a one goal lead 1:27 in. They would respond nicely later on in the period though, scoring twice to go up 2-1. The Kings goals came from Avery Smith (8) and Riley Buller (9). Winkler would tie things up late in the period to make it 2-2 going to the second.

The middle period saw Winkler score early again. This time 2:52 in. That was the only goal of the frame to make it 3-2 Flyers after 40.

In the third another slow start by the Kings gave Winkler a 4-2 advantage 2:19 in. The Flyers would then go up 5-2 with less than seven minutes to play. Dauphin would make it close late in the contest, Andrew Liwiski (2) made it 5-3 and Bryon Fobair (9) made it 5-4 with 1:10 to go. Dauphin would get a couple chances late but couldn't get the puck to the back of the net.

Ethan Slobodzian suffered the loss in goal but couldn't be faulted. The 1999 born goaltender stopped 30 of the 35 shots he faced. His team also had 35 shots Friday.

Dauphin finished the evening 2 for 6 on the man advantage and 7 for 8 on the power play.

The loss slips the Kings to 18-17-4 on the campaign. They'll regroup for another affair Saturday when they head east to take on the Pistons in Steinbach for the second time this season. Puck drop is slated for 7:30pm!

#RiseAgain

  Leeam Tivers - 1 Assist

  Wayde Johannesson - 3 Assists

 Bryon Fobair - 1G & 1A