A couple new names are expected to be lining up for the Portage Terriers tonight as they face off with the newly rebranded Northern Manitoba Blizzard.
Portager Koy Funk has joined the team after training camp in Calgary with the WHL's Hitmen. Alex Thompson was acquired from the Winkler Flyers earlier in the week, and Cale Nachai was brought in via trade with the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
The Blizzard currently own a 2-0-0-0 record with a pair of wins over the Swan Valley Stampeders on the opening weekend of the season. Portage opened the season going 1-1-0-0, losing in Neepawa, but evening up their record with a shootout win the following game.
Marlen Edwards leads the Blizzard squad in scoring with 6 points, while Portage is led by Decker Mujcin and Nolan Nenow, who both have 3 points.
The teams finished last season with two wins and two losses each in the season series, but the Blizzard got the last laugh, taking the Steinbach Pistons to seven games in the second round of the MJHL playoffs, while Portage was eliminated in five by the Winkler Flyers.
With a clean slate on the season, Portage looks to kick off this season series with a win on home ice.
Tale of the Tape:
Records
Portage - 1-1-0-0
Northern Manitoba - 2-0-0-0
Scoring Leaders:
Portage
Decker Mujcin - 3-0-3
Nolan Nenow - 0-3-3
5 players tied for third
Northern Manitoba
Marlen Edwards - 2-4-6
Cheechoo Lathlin - 3-1-4
Sam Zagari - 0-4-4
Louis-Jacob Beauregard - 1-2-3
Thomas Phillips - 1-2-3