The Portage Terriers picked up their first win of the second round on Tuesday night, beating the Dauphin Kings 2-1 on home ice.
Terrier goalie Ryan Velan played the hero, stopping 39 shots including a highlight reel sprawling glove save in the third period.
For Velan, it was his first start of the post-season, "It felt awesome. I feel like I was ready for it. I think I did a good job in practice, staying right for the opportunity, so I was happy to be able to capitalize on it and it was a much-needed win, so I'm happy that we were able to pull it out."
The Terriers took three straight penalties to start the first period but were able to kill them off. Dauphin out chanced Portage 13-6 in the first but it stayed 0-0 heading into the intermission.
In the second period the line of Adam Belzil, Breck Hirrschoff and Will McKay started to click scoring a pair of goals. It was Hirrschoff's first game back in the lineup since game four against Steinbach due to injury.
"Yeah, I was good to be back in the lineup. Obviously, I'm happy to contribute any way I can," says Hirrschoff. "I had two other line mates that are playing just as good tonight, but, yeah, I had a good game."
Dauphin started to push back in the third period and Gavin Nemis scored on the power play. With time running out the Kings threw everything at the net and rang a shot off the crossbar. The puck stayed out and the Terriers hung on for the win.
The Kings still hold a 2-1 series lead as the series now shifts back to Dauphin on Friday night for game 4. Game 5 will be back in Portage on Saturday Apr. 12 at 7:30 p.m.