The Portage Terriers continued their hot streak Wednesday night, securing their fifth consecutive win with a commanding 5-2 victory over the Dauphin Kings.
Special teams were the story of the night, with Portage converting four of five power play opportunities and killing off seven of eight penalties, including a crucial two-minute 5-on-3 disadvantage.
“We’ve got to be more disciplined — we all know that,” admitted Terrier forward Scott Cousins, who opened the scoring just three minutes into the game. “I took an unsportsmanlike penalty tonight, but having a PK like ours that can go out and get the job done really helped us win.”
Despite being outshot 13-6 in the opening frame, the Terriers made their chances count. Cousins’ early marker was followed by a power play tally from Nolan Nenow, giving Portage a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The second period brought more of the same for the Terriers, as Tristan Gravenor capitalized on a rebound during an early power play to stretch the lead to 3-0. It marked Gravenor’s second power play goal in as many games, though he remained focused on the bigger picture.
“Yeah, I’m happy about it, but I’m just trying to stick to my game and keep doing what I’m doing,” said Gravenor.
Dauphin responded midway through the second as Matthew Thomas tipped a shot past Terrier netminder Mitchell Kathler to put the Kings on the board. However, Portage quickly regained their three-goal cushion when Nenow buried his second power play goal of the night.
In the final period, the Kings ramped up the intensity, with Thomas adding his second goal on the power play to cut the deficit to 4-2. Despite Dauphin’s push, the Terriers held firm, and Cousins sealed the game with an empty-net goal from long range in the closing moments.
With the win, Portage now sits tied for second place in the MJHL standings alongside the Winkler Flyers. Up next is the league trade deadline on Friday at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday showdown against the Neepawa Titans.