THRASHERS REBOUND FROM BLOWOUT LOSS TO BLANK LIONS

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Teagan Sacher made 23 saves for the shutout and Justin Derlago scored the game-winner five minutes into the second period as the Winnipeg Thrashers beat the Lions du Lac St-Louis 2-0 on Tuesday afternoon at Mile One Centre.

Sacher’s shutout comes just one day after he was pulled after allowing three goals in the opening six minutes of the Thrashers’ 12-5 loss to the Vancouver North West Giants.

After a scoreless first period that saw Lac St-Louis (1-1) outshoot Winnipeg 9-7, Derlago broke through4:35 into period two, beating Lions goaltender François Brassard on an unassisted effort to give theThrashers (1-1) the lead for the first time in the tournament.

The teams combined for 22 shots in the second period – 15 by the Thrashers, seven by the Lions – but Sacher and Brassard ensured the game would go to the third period with just one goal separating the teams.

Winnipeg got its insurance just 35 seconds after the puck dropped to start the final period when a point shot from Dylan Kuczek changed direction on its way to the net and slipped over the shoulder of Brassard to double the Thrashers’ lead.

The Winnipeg defence clamped down after that, allowing the Lions only seven shots in the third, none that beat Sacher. Overall, the Thrashers outshot Lac St-Louis 31-23.

The Thrashers return to the Mile One Centre ice on Wednesday afternoon, taking on the London Jr. Knights(3:30 p.m. NT), while the Lions face the Halifax Titans in the day’s early game (12 p.m. NT).