Redemption is what the Portage Terriers will be searching for tonight as they look to get back in the win column. The Dogs dropped their first home game of the year on Wednesday and hope to bounce back tonight against the Swan Valley Stampeders.
These two squads faced off for the first time last week, and the Terriers came away with a 5-2 victory. The newest additions for the Terriers played a big role in that one as Bryden Kiesman picked up a hat-trick in the first period alone, and Kaden Kohle scored to give Portage a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes. Kohle says he's very happy to be in Portage.
"I'm really happy. I like the culture here, the winning culture. It's a really good place to play."
Prior to the loss against the Niverville Nighthawks, the Terriers had won seven straight contests and scored 38 goals during that span. During the season as a whole, Portage still leads the league in total goals with 59 in 12 games and is second in goal differential with a +21.
The Terriers struggled in their last outing on the power-play as they went 0/7 and gave up a short-handed goal as well, however, Portage still has a top-five extra-man unit in the MJHL. Swan Valley, on the other hand, is in the middle of the pack when it comes to the power-play but is the second-worst team on the penalty kill this season.
Portage will have to watch out for Justin Keck as he places fourth in the MJHL in points with 17 and leads the league when it comes to non-Steinbach Pistons.
The Swan Valley Stampeders and Portage Terriers will battle it out tonight at Stride Place with puck drop set for 7:30.
Tale of the Tape
Record
Terriers: 10-2-0
Stampeders: 6-5-2
Team Leaders
Terriers: Hayden Lacquette (3G, 11A)
Stampeders: Justin Keck (8G, 9A, 17Pts)
Goaltenders
Terriers: Bailey Monteith (2.16GAA, 0.896SV%)
Stampeders: Kobe Grant (2.28GAA, 0.938SV%)