The Portage Terriers game on Saturday night in OCN ended in overtime, but not because of a goal but due to a player injury. The Terriers and Blizzard were tied at three and halfway through overtime when Blizzard forward Drayden Kurbatoff was hurt. Due to the nature of the injury, it was decided that the remainder of the game would be finished at a later date.
The game was a physical affair with both goalies playing well. The Blizzard opened the scoring midway through the first. A bouncing puck along the wall caught the Terriers by surprise and Keenan McNeill tucked it in. Austin Peters tied the game on a last-chance rush that crossed the line with one second to go in the first period.
The blizzard got into penalty trouble in the second. Daniel Siso snuck a pass around the OCN defender on the power play and Ryan Botterill one-timed a shot past Blizzard goalie Chase Hamm. Botterill then returned the favour for Siso who finished off a nice passing play minutes later to increase the Terrier lead. Hamm kept the game close making some highlight reel saves.
Portage closed the second period with a pair of players in the box. OCN capitalized on the tail end of the second penalty early in the third to make it 3-2. Midway through the period Terrier forward Jamie Valentino took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Blizzard scored their second power play goal of the night moments later. The game would remain tied until the injury to Kurbatoff halted play in overtime.
The Terriers were outshooting the Blizzard 35-26. Portage was 1/6 on the power play while the blizzard were 2/8. The Terriers will now get ready for a home matchup with Niverville on Wednesday October 19.
UNOFFICIAL FINAL
— OCN Blizzard (@OCNBlizzard) October 16, 2022
The teams will be finishing tonight’s game prior to the teams next match-up. This will take place prior to the next matchup in OCN with 2:48 remaining in OT
We do want to let our fans know that our player is safe, responsive, and will make a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/HG3K7sG3ky