Portage Terriers

The Portage Terriers picked up their first win of the second round on Tuesday night, beating the Dauphin Kings 2-1 on home ice. 

Terrier goalie Ryan Velan played the hero, stopping 39 shots including a highlight reel sprawling glove save in the third period.

For Velan, it was his first start of the post-season, "It felt awesome. I feel like I was ready for it. I think I did a good job in practice, staying right for the opportunity, so I was happy to be able to capitalize on it and it was a much-needed win, so I'm happy that we were able to pull it out."

Special teams were a struggle for the Portage Terriers on Sunday night falling 4-2 to the Dauphin Kings.

Similar to game one of the series, Portage outplayed the Kings early, and Caleb Lepitre opened the scoring late in the first period on the power play. The Terriers outshot the Kings in the first, 12-1.

The Portage Terriers lost their first game on home ice so far in their run to the Turnbull Cup by a score of 3-1 to the Dauphin Kings.

Portage scored a goal at the very last second of the first period, as Caleb Lepitre notched his first of the post-season on the powerplay. There was plenty of discussion between the officials and Dauphin's coaching staff, but the goal would stand. 1-0 Portage after the first.

From Portage Terriers Marketing Director Cody Buhler

The Portage Terriers finished off their first round series with the Steinbach Pistons on Monday night picking up a close 3-2 win on home ice.

After starting slow in game five, the Terriers came out strong in the deciding game six. Dawson Madden opened the scoring for Portage, tipping in a point shot midway through the first period. The goal seemed to wake up the Pistons who got on the board two minutes later from Brayden Barnett.

The Steinbach Pistons staved off elimination with a 3-1 victory over the visiting Portage Terriers on March 29. The game saw Portage go 0/5 on the powerplay, but killing off all four penalties they were assessed.

Steinbach would score a pair of goals near the mid-way point of the first period, as the Terriers got trapped inside their defensive zone a couple of times in succession, giving the Pistons a 2-0 lead to end the first frame.

From Portage Terriers Marketing Director, Cody Buhler

The Portage Terriers came from behind Friday night to beat the Steinbach Pistons 4-3 in double overtime. The Dogs now have a 3-1 series lead with a chance to close things out on Saturday night in Steinbach.

The Pistons came out of the gate hungry in the first period and drew two power play opportunities but were unable to capitalize. They had seven shots on Terrier goalie Mitchell Kathler before Portage was able to register one. The game stayed 0-0 after 1.

The Portage Terriers won a penalty filled affair 4-1 on Tuesday night over the host Steinbach Pistons. The Terriers went 2/8 on the power play and were a perfect 1-1 on the penalty kill.

The Terriers have scored first in every game of the series so far and game three was no different. Nolan Nenow tipped in a goal in the first four minutes while driving to the net on the power play. Portage had two more power plays in the first period but couldn’t score again. 1-0 Terriers after one.

The final regular season game gave the Portage Terriers a chance to present a couple of the team's year-end awards, with several categories, except the post-season MVP, which Marketing Director Cody Buhler noted, hopefully won't be for another two months.

Grant Dardis was one of several players to come away with multiple team awards, and became the first ever winner of the Brady Grasdal Memorial Award. He shares that the award means a lot to him.

Fans flooded the ice after the Portage Terriers first ever skills competition. Players skated around, signed autographs and chatted with fans as they prepared for the playoffs, beginning March 21.

Scott Cousins and Team Black were named the champs after sweeping the fastest skater competition. However, the contest did remain close, as Decker Mujcin tallied the hardest shot, registering at 88 miles per hour, and Team Green won the relay after a mistake by Cousins.

He adds that his team helped him out in that respect.

A massive crowd was on hand to witness the Portage Terriers final regular season game, a losing decision to the Niverville Nighthawks, 4-2.

A physical first period saw a couple special teams goals, as Niverville scored the first one on the powerplay. But Portage would answer with a shorthanded goal, as South Dakota product Breck Hirrschoff knotted the game up. Despite some hooks and holds on the way to the net, Hirrschoff found the puck with the Nighthawks goalie out of position, and slipped the puck into the net. 1-1 after 20 minutes.