The new year started with a thud for the Portage Terriers who lost their first game of the 2024 4-1 Friday night to the Steinbach Pistons. Special teams were a big part of the night with the Pistons going 3/6 on the power play.
It was a tough start for Terrier newcomer Adler Johnston. The Minnesota forward took a boarding penalty on his first shift two minutes into the game. Former Terrier Brandon Funk scored quickly on the power play through a screen to open the scoring for the Pistons. Portage got a few chances midway through the frame but couldn’t find the back of the net. 1-0 Steinbach after 1.
Portage came out strong early in the second tying the game at one. A puck bounced out to Daniel Siso in the slot and he made no mistake. After letting in the goal, Steinbach immediately pushed back and scored another of their own less than two minutes later. The Terriers had a hard time staying out of the box the rest of the period and it cost them. David Cote had a point shot deflected off a Terrier defenceman on the power play to make it 3-1 Pistons. Again on the power play Grady Hoffman tipped a shot to make it 4-1 Steinbach.
Portage received a few power plays in the third period but were unable to generate many chances. The Pistons outshot Portage 41-32. The Terriers are back in action at home on Sunday night at 6:30pm against the Swan Valley Stampeders.