Portage Terriers

From Portage Terriers Marketing Director, Cody Buhler

The Portage Terriers came from behind Friday night to beat the Steinbach Pistons 4-3 in double overtime. The Dogs now have a 3-1 series lead with a chance to close things out on Saturday night in Steinbach.

The Pistons came out of the gate hungry in the first period and drew two power play opportunities but were unable to capitalize. They had seven shots on Terrier goalie Mitchell Kathler before Portage was able to register one. The game stayed 0-0 after 1.

The Portage Terriers won a penalty filled affair 4-1 on Tuesday night over the host Steinbach Pistons. The Terriers went 2/8 on the power play and were a perfect 1-1 on the penalty kill.

The Terriers have scored first in every game of the series so far and game three was no different. Nolan Nenow tipped in a goal in the first four minutes while driving to the net on the power play. Portage had two more power plays in the first period but couldn’t score again. 1-0 Terriers after one.

The final regular season game gave the Portage Terriers a chance to present a couple of the team's year-end awards, with several categories, except the post-season MVP, which Marketing Director Cody Buhler noted, hopefully won't be for another two months.

Grant Dardis was one of several players to come away with multiple team awards, and became the first ever winner of the Brady Grasdal Memorial Award. He shares that the award means a lot to him.

Fans flooded the ice after the Portage Terriers first ever skills competition. Players skated around, signed autographs and chatted with fans as they prepared for the playoffs, beginning March 21.

Scott Cousins and Team Black were named the champs after sweeping the fastest skater competition. However, the contest did remain close, as Decker Mujcin tallied the hardest shot, registering at 88 miles per hour, and Team Green won the relay after a mistake by Cousins.

He adds that his team helped him out in that respect.

A massive crowd was on hand to witness the Portage Terriers final regular season game, a losing decision to the Niverville Nighthawks, 4-2.

A physical first period saw a couple special teams goals, as Niverville scored the first one on the powerplay. But Portage would answer with a shorthanded goal, as South Dakota product Breck Hirrschoff knotted the game up. Despite some hooks and holds on the way to the net, Hirrschoff found the puck with the Nighthawks goalie out of position, and slipped the puck into the net. 1-1 after 20 minutes.

The Portage dropped their final regular season game of the year on Wednesday night 6-3 to the Niverville Nighthawks.

There wasn’t much on the line for both teams as the Terriers are locked in third place and the Nighthawks in fourth. This allowed the Terriers to give increased minutes to some different players including “AP” call up Tyler Kendall who made his MJHL debut on the blue line.

As a successful season winds down toward the playoffs, several Portage Terriers were nominated for league awards and all-star teams.

Head Coach and General Manager Blake Spiller notes that each guy has been a big part of their solid start.

"It's always good for guys to get recognized by their peers. Obviously, Scherrsy (Captain Parker Scherr) and Mitch (Mitchell Kathler) will be a big part of our team here going forward with playoffs starting in the next couple of weeks."

The Portage Terriers ended the Winkler Flyers’ 10 game winning streak on Sunday night beating them 2-1.

The game started fast and physical with Winkler playing their typical brand of tough dump and chase hockey. The Terriers jumped out to an early lead when Decker Mujcin tucked home a short handed goal. Despite getting hemmed in for most of the period, Portage would score again when Rhett Platt finished off a nice one-timer from Breck Hirrschoff. 2-0 Terriers after 1.

Story from Portage Terriers Marketing Director, Cody Buhler

A solid effort from top to bottom lifted the Portage Terriers over the Winnipeg Blues on Wednesday night 5-1.

Playing one forward short, the Terriers were able to roll all four lines all night. Winnipeg started the game strong and kept Portage on their heels. Midway through the first Cam Bullinger scored his 20th of the season on the power play to open the scoring for Portage.

The Portage Terriers dropped their final matchup of the season against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines on home ice, by a 5-3 score.

A bad bounce and a poorly directed pass resulted in Waywayseecappo scoring a pair of goals in the first, while Portage was unable to answer. 2-0 Waywayseecappo after 20 minutes.