Another hockey league is preparing to wrap up its season, as the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League final nears.
The two squads facing off will be the St. Boniface Riels and the Transcona Railers Express. The Riels squad features two Portagers, Carson Dubois and Alex van Deynze.
Dubois says getting to this point in his third year is a pretty exciting feat.
"The first year I played, we finished eighth, and got gentleman swept in the first round. Then last year, we finished third and got swept in the second round, and now we're finally where we want to be, in the final."
Van Deynze, who was acquired by the Riels from the Pembina Valley Twisters during the season, adds that he's relying on past experience to help his team get the job done.
"I was there last year with my old team, so I know it's a little bit what it's about, but it feels really good to get there and hopefully win it with the boys."
Van Deynze and Dubois were also members of the Portage Collegiate Institute Trojans team that brought home the Zone IV High School Championship back in 2022.
Dubois notes that having a friend he's played with for a few years adds something special to the experience.
"Having somebody from Portage in Alex, who, we won a high school championship together, it will be pretty fun to see if we can do it again."