The Portage Terriers are looking to extend their winning streak to three games, as they travel to Winnipeg to battle the Freeze.
The Dogs rebounded from a few losses this past weekend as Jayden Catellier stopped a combined 65 shots in two games against the Selkirk Steelers. The goaltender earned an MJHL Star of the Week nod for these performances.
"It's a nice feeling to be recognized but the guys played well in front of me. Saturday's game, we had a short roster but guys came out hard, fought hard, and battled," says Catellier. "They played a great game in front of me with what they had. You always have to thank the guys in front of you."
That outing on Saturday saw Catellier pick up his first shutout of the year in a 2-0 victory. He talks about how nice it is to know they can win games where they only muster up two goals.
"It's big. Later in the season, you have to win games like that," Catellier explains. "It's nice to score a bunch of goals but come playoffs and come late in the season, you're going to have to win games like that, and you have to have faith in yourself in those games."
The Terriers have had a goalie tandem this season as Catellier has split time evenly with Bailey Monteith, both netminders having played over 20 games.
"Bailey being 20, he's been a great leader and a great role model for me to look up to as well as kind of guide the way for me," Catellier continues. "He's a great guy and a great friend. We push each other every day, and it's leading to success for both of us."
The goalie says his competitiveness has improved immensely over the last month, noting he felt very refreshed after returning to the team facility after the holidays.
With a home and home against the Freeze on the horizon, Portage is hoping to enter next week, having won four in a row.
"We just have to compete and play hard. You can't take any team lightly. I think that's shown for us, we've struggled in some games that we shouldn't have. We just have to show up and play hard for the full 60 minutes, and we'll be good."
The Terriers are in Winnipeg tonight and will return to Stride Place tomorrow to battle the Freeze at 7:30. Tonight's contest will be broadcast live on CFRY.