The Portage Terriers are one win away from the Turnbull Cup Finals. The Dogs are heading to Virden tonight for Game 6 in their best-of-seven series with the Oil Capitals. Terrier forward Austin Peters says they regrouped after the Game 5 win and are ready to return to Portage as finalists.
"We had a day off, and we used that as best as we could because we do have a lot of guys that are sick. We focused up and are going to bring it to them tonight. That's all we can do," Peters explains. "We're going to make it to the finals if we keep playing like this."
The Terriers had their backs against the wall early in Game 5 after going down 2-0 in the first four minutes. The rest of the way, Portage out-scored Virden 4-0 and controlled the pace of play, especially in the second and third periods. Peters gives the Terrier defenceman a lot of credit.
"They kept us in the game. They were battling," Peters continues. "I know we have a few sick guys on D, for sure, but they kept us in it. They battle, and that's what playoffs are for. They showed how gritty our team can be and how much pride we have wearing that logo."
Portage has improved immensely on the penalty-kill in this series. After giving up six power-play goals in five games against the Niverville Nighthawks in round one, the Terriers are fighting off 87.5 per cent of Virden's extra-man opportunities in this series.
Brenden Holba has been a standout for the Terriers as of late, scoring the team's first goal in Game 5. The 19-year-old now has four goals and seven points in ten playoff games, more than half his total output through 50 regular season games (six goals and 13 points).
With a win tonight, Portage would be one series away from the Turnbull Cup trophy but if they lose, the do-or-die Game 7 would return to Stride Place on Wednesday. Puck drop for tonight's contest is set for 7:30 in Virden. You can listen to the game live on CFRY.