Terriers suffer first loss of the season

The Portage Terriers lost their first game of the season Sunday night, 5-2 to the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Special teams was a big factor for Waywayseecappo who went 3/7 on the power play. Offence was hard to come by for Portage who got outshot 41-29 and were 0/9 with the man advantage. 

Portage started strong in the first period with two power plays including a five on three in the first five minutes. Brandon Funk opened the scoring for the Dogs shortly after they ended. Brandon McCartney hit him with a nice pass in the slot and he beat Tresor Wotton over the blocker. Both teams paraded to the box throughout the first but it remained 1-0 after 20 minutes. 

The second period started to swing in the Wolverines favour. Carson Baptiste edged past Ranon Joseph on the rush and tucked a goal five hole on Jayden Catellier. He then scored again four minutes later tipping home a point shot on the power play. 2-1 Wolverines after 2. 

Portage struggled to get chances throughout the night and penalties killed any momentum. The Terriers started the third period shorthanded and Leyton Smith scored on a one timer 38 seconds in. Waywayseecappo scored their third power play goal eight minutes later to go up 4-1. With just over ten minutes to play, and the Terriers on a 5 on 4 power play, they pulled their goalie. The unorthodox move created some sustained pressure for the first time in a while. With the extra attacker Austin Peters scored his team leading third goal of the season at the side of the net. 

It would be too little too late. With 4:40 left to play Andrew Boucher scored into the empty net from a long distance shot. Portage would leave Catellier in for the rest of the game. 

The Terriers now get set for a home game against Winkler on Wednesday. Puck drop is set for 7:30 at Stride Place.