Gallant preserves Flyers' victory

ABRAM VILLAGE – Colton Gallant scored the winner with 44 seconds remaining as the Wellington Flyers squeezed out a 6-5 victory over the visiting O’Leary Maroons on Saturday night.
The Evangeline Rec Centre was the site of the opening game of the 2017-18 West Prince Senior Hockey League regular season for both clubs.
The Flyers jumped out to a 5-1 lead after one period on the defending league champions, before the Maroons staged a comeback – pulling to within two goals after the second period, and then tying the game with a pair of goals three minutes apart early in the final frame.
Devon Arsenault (2-1), Nick Arsenault,  (1-1), Todd MacDougall (1-1), Colton Gallant (1-1) and Logan Arsenault scored for the Flyers while assists were credited to Matt Kelly (3) Ben Johnson, Justin Arsenault and Scott Watson.
Mike MacIsaac (2-1) scored for the Maroons with 1:25 remaining in the first period to make the score 4-1, but Logan Arsenault restored the Flyers four-goal lead just 16 seconds later.
Also scoring for the Maroons were Mike Adams (1-3), Aaron Sweet  (1-2) and Tyson Carragher. Picking up assists were Scott Bernard, Jordan MacIsaac, Aaron Reilly and Matt Sweet.
The Flyers were assessed seven of the game’s nine minor penalties. Each team was also assessed a major and a game misconduct.

Click here for story on Tyne Valley-Tignish game:

Regals hosting Wednesday game
The league returns to action on Wednesday, when the Alberton Regals host the Maroons at the Jacques Cartier Arena. Game time is 8:15 p.m.
The Flyers are in Tyne Valley on Friday at 8 p.m., and the Tignish Aces visit O’Leary on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Length of games
In response to concerns raised by fans, the league has increased the third period to 20 minutes while staying at 15-minute sessions for the first two periods for the time being. League president Ghislain Bernard said the intent is to return to all 20-minute periods as soon as teams have their rosters filled.
Fan support has been strong, with over 500 in attendance for the league opener Friday night in Tyne Valley, and 475 paid customers took in Saturday’s game in Abram-Village.
“It’s quite a success story,” Bernard said of the fan interest.