A tough start on the road for the Portage Terriers cost them Tuesday night, falling 4-3 to the Dauphin Kings. It’s the first time the Terriers have lost two in a row this season.
The Dauphin Kings started strong capitalizing on most of their chances early in the first period. Matthew Gough went upstairs to open the scoring on a partial breakaway. Less than 30 seconds later Blake Boudreau pulled the puck off the wall, cut to the middle and beat Bailey Monteith glove side. The goals kept coming for the Kings. Myles Yearwood was left alone in front and made it 3-0 less than 10 minutes into the game.
Dauphin took two straight penalties after their third goal and Portage was able to capitalize on the 5-on-3 power play. The puck worked its way around the top and Kian Calder ripped a shot upstairs. 3-1 Kings after 1.
Portage came out flat again to start the second. Jaden Harris finished off a 2-on-1 rush for the Kings, banging home a pad save from Monteith. The period tightened up and stayed 4-1 heading into the third.
Momentum started to swing towards the Terriers in the third period when Terrier head coach Blake Spiller shortened the bench. Hayden Lacquette brought Portage within two in front of his hometown fans when his power play point shot found its way through traffic. With about three minutes left Portage pulled Monteith and poured on the pressure. Noah Wagner banged in a loose puck in front for his first of the season to draw within one. Portage had more great chances but couldn’t beat Marko Belak again.
The Terriers finished the night 2/5 on the power play and for the first time this season didn’t take a single penalty. The Dogs outshot Dauphin 44-34. Portage is back in action on Friday hosting the Niverville Nighthawks