High River, AB (September 12, 2025) – The High River Flyers start off the 2025-2026 HJHL season with a 4-3 shootout win over the Mountainview Colts at Bob Snodgrass Recreational Complex tonight.
The Flyers received a solid performance from returning goaltender Kaiden Fulton, who made over 40 saves in the Flyers’ win, outlasting Colts starting goalie Nicholas Smith. Fulton would play a full 65 minutes as the game had a full five-minute overtime and was forced to go to a shootout.
The Flock opened the scoring 5:30 into the first period with Isaac Cayetano finding the back of the net on the power play. Flyers captain Wout Rehorst picked up the primary assist on Cayetano’s goal, with another returning Flyer, Lucas Gough, getting the secondary assist.
High River added to their lead 32 seconds into the second period, thanks to Ethan Burgeson picking up his first goal of the HJHL preseason. Lucas Hughes picked up the helper on Burgeson’s marker, making it five returning Flyers picking up points on the first two goals of the game. The Colts would solve Fulton and the Flyers with just two seconds left in the second frame, cutting the Flyers’ lead in half with a goal from Jager Hanson.
The Flyers wouldn’t let the late second period deter their spirits as Carson Grimeau helped give the Flock their two-goal lead back just over two minutes into the third period, making him the sixth returning Flyer to get a point on the night. New additions Kieren McNaughton and Nathan Matiowsky picked up the assists for their first points in a Flyers uniform. Mountainview wouldn’t roll over, picking up two goals before time expired to send the game to extra time. Ryder Hammer and Blake Stoddard were the goal scorers for the Colts.
Overtime would solve nothing, and both teams would head to a shootout. Fulton stood tall, stopping all three shots he faced in the shootout. Cayetano would play hero for the Flocks’ first preseason game as he scored the lone goal in the shootout for the win.
The Flyers will play again tomorrow night in Didsbury for the second of back-to-back nights against the Colts for the 2025-2026 HJHL preseason. Puck drop for tomorrow’s game is set for 8:00 p.m.
Written by: Scott Savard
Photo credit: Scott Savard
