From Portage Terriers Marketing Director Cody Buhler
The Portage Terriers finished off their first round series with the Steinbach Pistons on Monday night picking up a close 3-2 win on home ice.
After starting slow in game five, the Terriers came out strong in the deciding game six. Dawson Madden opened the scoring for Portage, tipping in a point shot midway through the first period. The goal seemed to wake up the Pistons who got on the board two minutes later from Brayden Barnett.
As the period was about to end, Sam Noad scored with 0.7 seconds left on the clock to give the Pistons a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.
The Terriers didn’t give up and started to claw back in the second. Madden would score his second of the night as he was crashing to the net. Affiliated player Jonah Lemoine was making his Terrier debut in the game and picked up the assist on the goal for his first point in the MJHL.
Four minutes later the Terriers struck again, this time shorthanded. Scott Cousins out waited the defenders and fed Decker Mujcin in the slot for his team leading fourth goal of the playoffs. 3-2 Portage after 2.
The third period was back and forth with the Pistons unable to generate lengthy sustained pressure. A late five-minute major to Grady Hoffman for checking from behind hurt the Pistons’ chances at a comeback. Mitchell Kathler shut the door the rest of the way for his fourth win of the playoffs.
The Terriers struggled in the series on the power play and went 0/4 in the final game.
Portage takes the series 4-2 and will now move on to play the Dauphin Kings in the second round. Game 1 will likely be on Friday April 4th in Portage at 7:30pm.