Portage Terriers

Redemption is what the Portage Terriers will be searching for tonight as they look to get back in the win column. The Dogs dropped their first home game of the year on Wednesday and hope to bounce back tonight against the Swan Valley Stampeders.

It was an unfortunate outcome for the Portage Terriers tonight as they suffered just their second loss of the season. The Dogs were defeated by the Niverville Nighthawks 6-2 on home ice.

The Nighthawks began the scoring early in the first period as Brett Tataryn brought the puck in during a 3-on-1 opportunity and made a pass to Brendan Bottom, who was cutting down the slot. Bottem was now in all alone, and after making a few moves, he slid the puck between the pads of Terrier goaltender Bailey Monteith to give Niverville the early lead.

The Portage Terriers are aiming for their eighth straight win as they return to Stride Place tonight.

The Dogs are set to play their first game ever against the MJHL's newest team, the Niverville Nighthawks. Goaltender Bailey Monteith says it's hard to know what to expect from the latest expansion team.

The Portage Terriers game on Saturday night in OCN ended in overtime, but not because of a goal but due to a player injury. The Terriers and Blizzard were tied at three and halfway through overtime when Blizzard forward Drayden Kurbatoff was hurt. Due to the nature of the injury, it was decided that the remainder of the game would be finished at a later date. 

The Portage Terriers picked up their seventh straight win Friday night, beating the Swan Valley Stampeders 5-2. A hot start and a dynamic power play were key elements in the road victory. 

Brayden Kiesman made an instant impact in his Terrier debut. The 20-year-old forward was acquired earlier in the week from the Nipawin Hawks (SJHL). He scored his first goal less than two minutes into the game on the power play. The Stampeders responded with a 5-on-3 goal by Jordan Keck.

The Portage Terriers are hitting the road this weekend as they have a set of back-to-back contests. The Dogs will be starting off the weekend in Swan Valley tonight for their first meeting against the Stampeders this season. 

The Portage Terriers are bringing in another 20-year-old from the SJHL.

The Dogs have acquired forward Bryden Kiesman and future considerations from the Nipawin Hawks in exchange for forwards Alyandro De Leon and Hudson Cameron.

Kiesman has 51 games of WHL experience as he spent two seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Winnipeg product started last season with the Virden Oil Capitals before being sent to Nipawin. He put up a total of 22 points in the 2021-22 campaign and has been on a point-per-game pace this season with six goals and four assists in ten games.

The Portage Terriers wrapped up their "Grow Project 2022" last week bringing in 1000 bushels of soybeans.

Cody Buhler, marketing director for the Terriers, says the team received donations from different community partners to help grow and harvest the soybeans.

Portage Terriers players continue to garner league recognition early in the 2022-23 MJHL season.

Bailey Monteith is the latest player to be highlighted for his stellar play to start this year.

Last week, the Goaltender picked up two wins, one being a shutout with a 0.50GAA and a .976SV%.

The Portage Terriers remain undefeated on home ice after taking down the Winnipeg Blue tonight. The Dogs downed the Blues 6-3, making them winners of six consecutive contests.

The Terriers' offence got rolling early. Matt Wisener picked the puck up in the neutral zone with speed and brought it in along the boards. He cut toward the net, went right in front of the Blues' goaltender, and slid the puck past him before he could get across the crease. This made it 1-0 just over a minute into the game.