Portage Terriers

The Portage Terriers are winners of ten straight games. The Dogs defeated the Winkler Flyers 3-2 on home ice tonight, giving Portage an eight-point cushion for first place in the MJHL standings.

After a scoreless first period, the action picked up early in the second. Brandon McCartney picked up a cross-checking penalty less than two minutes into the frame and gave Winkler their second power-play opportunity.

Ryan Botterill is the 2022-23 Frank McKinnon Memorial Award winner. This award is given out each year by the Manitoba Junior Hockey League to a player for a combination of their skill and sportsmanship. 

"I just found out through Instagram after the game the other day," says Botterill. "I thought it was pretty cool. I was pretty excited to get that."

The MJHL has released four finalists for each of their six year-end awards, and two Portage Terriers could end the season with some hardware. 

While no Terriers were nominated for league MVP, Portage's own Ryan Botterill is up for the Frank McKinnon Memorial Trophy. This award is based on sportsmanship and playing ability. Botterill is fifth in the MJHL in points with 61 and is second in goals with 38 this season. The Portager is the first Terrier to score over 35 goals since the 2015-16 season.

The Portage Terriers keep their win streak rolling into March after dismantling the Winnipeg Blues at Stride Place. The Dogs came away with an 11-2 victory, which now gives them eight consecutive wins.

The scoring began just past the midway mark in the first period. Austin McLean entered the zone with the puck and left it for a trailing Slade Stanick at the faceoff dot. Stanick took a shot on net that was stopped but Ryan Botterill was at the back door to put home his 36th goal of the season.

Two Portage Terriers have been recognized for their stellar performances in the month of February. Portage's own Ryan Botterill and Portage's own Kian Calder are receiving monthly awards from the MJHL.

Botterill is the league's Player of the Month winner. He averaged two points per game in February. The 19-year-old forward scored 12 goals and dished out eight assists in ten games last month. Botterill is fifth in the MJHL in total points this season with 58 and is second in goals with 35.

The Portage Terriers have just seven games left to prepare for the playoffs. 

One of their final four home games goes down tonight against the Winnipeg Blues, and the Terriers will be looking to keep their hot streak rolling. Portage has won seven straight games and finished February with a 9-1 record.

The Portage Terriers picked up their 7th win in a row on Saturday night coming back to beat the Neepawa Titans 3-2.

The game started slowly with a pair of penalties being handed out to the Terriers. Neepawa’s Dean Noonan then went to the box for interference and the Titans capitalized during the 4 on 4 play. Mason Hartley ended the Terriers' shutout streak at 235 minutes and 36 seconds when he beat Bailey Monteith on a partial breakaway.

The Portage Terriers haven't let up a goal in their last eleven periods of play. The Dogs finished their three-game home stand with their third consecutive shutout tonight as they toppled the Neepawa Titans 6-0.

Early in the first period, Terrier goaltender Bailey Monteith made a pad save in tight but the rebound went right to the doorstep. Mason Hartley had a wide-open cage and looked to tap the puck in but it rang off the post. This was an early sign of what was to come for Neepawa, with countless chances that ended up missing the net throughout the evening.

With just nine games left in the MJHL regular season, the Portage Terriers are hitting their stride. The Dogs have won their last five games and are coming off back-to-back shutout victories.

Portage's own Ryan Botterill hit a benchmark last game, becoming the first Terrier to score 35 goals in a season since the 2015-16 season (Brad Bowles had 45).

"That feels good," says Botterill. "As a team, we need to keep winning. That's the main goal right now. We need to win a lot and get ready for the playoffs and Centennial Cup."

The Portage Terriers are back at Stride Place today for their second outing in a three-game home stand. The Dogs are welcoming the Selkirk Steelers to town tonight, who have been playing some of their best hockey as of late. 

In February, the Steelers have gone 6-0-1, with one of those wins coming against the Terriers. This recent surge has Selkirk just one point back of the Niverville Nighthawks for the final playoff spot in the MJHL's East Division. 

Portage goaltender Bailey Monteith says they know what the Steelers are capable of.