Another game, another addition to the win streak for the Portage Terriers, as they have now gone on the MJHL's longest win streak this season. This time, the Dogs triumphed 5-2 over the visiting Winnipeg Blues. The win also propelled the Dogs to first place in the MJHL standings.
Both teams got some strange bounces in the first period, which got great reactions from the crowd.
With seconds left in the Terriers' first powerplay, Adler Johnston tried to send a pass to the front of the net, but with a bounce off of one of the Blues' sticks, ended up in the net.
13 seconds later, some miscommunication in the Portage end resulted in a Blues goal, as a Terrier attempted to take a puck out of Mitchell Kathler's skates, and it wound up crossing the goal line.
Just over a minute later, Adam Belzil sent a pass in front of the net, and it bounced past Winnipeg goalie Sam Couture. 2-1 Portage, where it would stay for the rest of the first period.
Portage would add three goals in the second frame, with two coming with the extra man.
Jacob Michelson scored the first of the period 31 second into the period. Nolan Nenow laid a perfect pass into open ice for him in the neutral zone. Michelson used his speed to turn it into a breakaway, and beat Couture upstairs. 3-1 Portage.
Michelson says that playing with Nenow makes it really easy to make plays.
"It's so good. You give him the puck and you just try to get open. You know where he is all the time, his IQ is unmatched. Nolan's got great hands, and if you try get open, you know he's going to make a play to you, so that's why he's close to leading the league in assists."
With a 5-on-3 powerplay, Scott Cousins would tap home a rebound for his fourth goal of the year, drawing assists from Caleb Lepitre and Jacob Michelson.
Tristan Gravenor joined the powerplay party less than a minute later, adding his seventh of the season, with Decker Mujcin and Koy Funk tallying helpers. That would make it 5-1 to end the second frame.
The Blues would add a powerplay goal in the third period, making it 5-2. A tip from long range beat Kathler over the shoulder.
That was as close as the Blues would get though, as Portage would close it out defensively.
Adam Belzil says that the win streak is just proof of their team's coming together as a group.
"It feels amazing. All the team is buying into our system, all the lines are rolling. They played super good, I think today all the lines had at least one goal. We're just buying in for being the best team in the league and that's what we want. We want to go further and keep the streak going."
Portage would go 3/5 on the Powerplay and kill off 4 of 5 penalties.
Next on the schedule, the Dogs will travel up to The Pas to take on the Northern Manitoba Blizzard for a two game set this weekend. Both games start at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on CFRY.