A tough test ended with multiple fights, and 13 total goals scored, as the Portage Terriers lost their season-opener against the Neepawa Titans, 7-6.
Owen Witt scored the game's first goal just over four minutes into play. He got the puck near the blueline, beat his man wide, got a shot off and buried the rebound to kick off the campaign, drawing assists from Adler Johnston and his defensive partner, Grant Dardis.
Caden Hegarty would answer back for the Titans on the powerplay after Parker Scherr took an interference penalty.
Parker Scherr would answer back with a goal of his own on the powerplay, as he joined Nolan Nenow on an odd-man rush, and tapping the puck home to give the Dogs a 2-1 lead to end the first period.
The Titans would score three goals in the third period, with Tim Tychonick, Dawson Andries and Cooper Kasprick all finding the score sheet. Jonah Power Smith would offset that with a goal of his own, but Neepawa would lead 4-3 going into the third period. Cam Bullinger and Emrick Paradis were both assessed fighting majors and game misconducts during the period which felt increasingly like a parade to the penalty box.
Garrett MacDonald would score on a seeing-eye shot in the third period to extend Neepawa's lead to two, before a pair of goals, scored by Decker Mujcin and Jacob Michelson would knot the game up at 5.
But Colton Alexander and Mason Hartley would each add a goal in the third to give themselves a two-goal lead again, which would put the game out of reach.
Decker Mujcin would add a second goal with just over two minutes remaining, but Neepawa netminder Mason Lobreau stood strong to end the game, with Portage pressuring to tie.
It was a penalty-filled affair with both teams accumulating over 40 minutes in penalties, but Neepawa's special teams came through when it matter, going for 4/5 on the powerplay, and 3/5 on the penalty kill.
The Terriers now turn their attention to the team's home opener on Sunday, September 22, where they will matchup with Neepawa again and try to knot up the season series. Puck drop at Stride Place will be 6:30, with the Panko's Food Centre Kickoff Barbecue starting at 4:30.