A massive crowd was on hand to witness the Portage Terriers final regular season game, a losing decision to the Niverville Nighthawks, 4-2.
A physical first period saw a couple special teams goals, as Niverville scored the first one on the powerplay. But Portage would answer with a shorthanded goal, as South Dakota product Breck Hirrschoff knotted the game up. Despite some hooks and holds on the way to the net, Hirrschoff found the puck with the Nighthawks goalie out of position, and slipped the puck into the net. 1-1 after 20 minutes.
Dawson Madden would make it a 2-1 game near the halfway point of the second on a beautiful, cross-ice pass from Wyatt Dreger. Madden one-timed the shot high glove-side for his 13th goal of the year.
Niverville would answer back, as Adam Vigfusson managed his 30th to tie things up at 2, where it would stay until the end of the frame.
The third period saw the Terriers add plenty of chances to the shot board, but were unable to capitalize on them. Niverville added one at even strength in the third period, and then an empty net goal in the final minute to seal the game, a 4-2 victory for the Nighthawks.
The Terriers will wrap up their regular season festivities with their awards and skills competition on Sunday afternoon, and then will take a break until the playoffs begin on Friday, March 21 in Steinbach.