The Portage Terriers opened the home schedule of their second half of the regular season.
The Terriers also honoured former Terrier Brady Grasdal with a pregame tribute by having his parents and billet family, along with recently re-acquired defenceman Ashton Fishley at center ice.
Terriers assistant captain Daniel Siso was a roommate of Grasdal's during his time with the Terriers. He scored the first goal, which also ended up being the game-winner. He spoke about scoring that goal, and honouring Grasdal with his celebration.
"Obviously, he meant the world to me so, to be able to score with his parents in the stands and the people who loved him just meant the world for me."
Siso was also named the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries player of the month for December, scoring 14 points in 9 games.
The Terriers also got 3 points in the shape of a goal and two assists from their leading scorer Gabriel Laflamme.
"It feels good, those two points we really needed, we fumbled in Steinbach, we needed back those two points, so it feels good."
The Terriers took a 2-0 lead near the half on a goal by Parker Scherr, a seeing-eye shot from just inside the blue line. Scherr also ended up taking a slash on the ankles which took him out of the game for a few minutes, as well as a shot in the face while sitting on the bench in the third period. Scherr was available to speak after the game and does not expect to miss any future games.
The Terriers ended a 3-game losing streak in the victory, a 5-0 shutout for Jayden Catellier. It becomes his second shutout of the season.
The Terriers victory places them, at least temporarily, back in second place in the MGEU East division.
With the victory Sunday, head coach and general manager Blake Spiller has now tied Don MacGillivary for second in all-time regular season wins in the MJHL with 669. He is now one off of the record of 670 held by Doug Stokes.