Portage Terriers forward Austin Peters is one of the three MJHL Stars of the Week. The 18-year-old was recognized for his three-goal and three-assist performance in the Dogs' last three games.
Peters scored the game-winning goal on Sunday night in a 5-4 victory against the Niverville Nighthawks with less than two minutes left in regulation.
Austin Peters 🚨
— #theMJ (@mjhlhockey) February 13, 2023
After giving up a two-goal lead in the 3rd, the @PortageTerriers found a way on this late snipe from Peters. pic.twitter.com/IkGKYO76Tf
The Winnipegger is second on the Terriers in points with 47 in 43 games. This is more than double the offensive output Peters had last year, in his rookie season, finishing with 19 points in 44 games. Peters describes the most important things he learned in the 2021-22 campaign.
"Everyone's older (in the MJHL), and everyone's bigger and faster. I was a fancier player when I was younger, and you can't do that out here," Peters explains. "There's no time out there. So, I do a lot of give-and-go's, Spills (head coach Blake Spiller) taught me how to do that, and we've been practicing it all year. I've been lucky enough for things to work out in my favour."
Peters has been like a portable charger this season, you can plug him in anywhere in the lineup, and he will produce. He's played everywhere from the first to the third line with various linemates, and he's been able to put up points, regardless.
While Peters is second in scoring on the team, he's also tied for 12th in points in the entire league. PortageOnline asked Peters what he would say if someone had told him before the season that he'd be top 15 in scoring.
"I definitely wouldn't have believed it," Peters continues. "I think the year of experience under my belt has definitely helped. Last year, I was just trying to survive in this league and trying to find my role. This year, I came in with a lot of confidence, knew what I had to do, and what I wanted to do to stay on this team."
Peters, and the Terriers, are on the road tonight as they look for their third straight win. The Dogs will battle the Virden Oil Capitals at 7:30.