The Portage Terriers closed out the regular season on the road Friday night with a 3-2 win over the Steinbach Pistons.
Portage came out of the gate strong in the first period. Five minutes into the game Noah Wagner tipped Matt McLeod’s point shot past a sliding Cole Plowman to open the scoring. The Terriers kept up the pressure. Brandon McCartney was sprung open and he beat Plowman low glove side as he drove to the net. Portage took a few penalties to close out the period but they were able to kill them off. 2-0 Portage after 1.
The second period was a back and forth affair. Steinbach got on the board with a wrap around goal by Kirk Mullen. Mike Stubbs and Ryan Botterill extended their point streaks to 11 and 10 games respectively when Stubbs found the back of the net halfway through the second. Travis Hensrud received a pass from the corner and beat Jayden Catellier to draw Steinbach within one. 3-2 Portage after 2.
Portage got their fist power play of the night early in the third but couldn’t score. The Terriers hit a couple of posts as the period went along, but neither team would find the score sheet again. Jayden Catellier played well in net, stopping 31 shots. Portage finished 0/2 with the man advantage.
The Terriers finish the season with a record of 43-11-1-3, good for first overall. They will start the first round of the playoffs on Friday March 24, against the Niverville Nighthawks at Stride Place