The Portage Terriers dominated the Virden Oil Capitals 8-3 Thursday night for their fifth win of the season. A four goal outburst from the Terriers in the second period put the game out of reach.
Portage jumped out of the gate strong scoring halfway through the first period. Jamie Valentino scored for the second game in a row, right as a power play expired. Daniel Siso then fired a shot bar down on the power play to increase the lead to 2-0 Portage.
The game was close to start the second period. Former Terrier Jared Lehto got the Oil Capitals on the board in the first three minutes. Midway through the second the floodgates opened. Kian Calder’s point shot beat Eric Reid to make it 3-1 Portage. It was Calder’s first of the season. Lacquette then scored his first of the season with a nice shot from the right face off circle. He then scored again from the point. Before the frame was over Austin Peters cleaned up Slade Stanick’s rebound off the rush to make it 6-1 Terriers. Portage had four goals in just under six minutes.
With the game out of reach Virden put Owen Laroque between the pipes to start the third. He didn’t fare much better. Alyandro De Leon scored at the side of the net on a scramble play and then again a few minutes later pulling a nice deke to his backhand and lifting it over the outstretched pad. 8-1 Portage.
Virden tried to muster a comeback late in the period with Lehto getting his second goal and Chastko another moments later. It would be too little too late as Jayden Catellier shut the door the rest of the way.
Portage finished the night 2/5 on the power play. The Dogs move into sole possession of second in the standings. Their next game will be a rematch with the Oil Capitals on Saturday night at Stride Place. Puck drop is set for 7:30pm.