Portage Terriers

The Portage Terriers continue to roll in 2023. The Dogs defeated the Virden Oil Capitals 5-2 on home ice tonight to improve their win streak to four games.

The Terriers struck first, just past the midway point of the first period. Noah Wagner took a sharp-angle shot that was stopped but the rebound went right to the slot for Kaden Kohle, who was absolutely robbed by a regrouping Eric Reid. The Oil Capitals tried to clear and give Reid a moment to recover as he had lost his stick but Parker Scherr kept the puck in the zone and fired the puck into the back of the net. 1-0 Portage.

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League announced each team's RBC Community Ambassador, and the Portage Terriers saw a local recognized for his contributions. Defenceman Kian Calder is one of the 13 players honoured for their efforts in giving back to the community.

"I wasn't expecting it at all. An award like that always makes you feel good about yourself but there are a lot of guys who are deserving of it on our team," Calder explains. "(my teammates) helped me win the award, for sure."

Today is the last opportunity for Manitoba Junior Hockey League teams to shore up their rosters ahead of the playoffs. The Portage Terriers have made a set of three different moves in the past few days and have until 5 p.m. to continue to make changes.

The Portage Terriers are proving they're a force to be reckoned with. The Dogs triumphed over the MJHL's top-seeded Steinbach Pistons 3-2 in a game that had the Terriers' backs against the wall.

Near the midway mark of the first period, Bailey Monteith kicked his pad out at the edge of his crease to knock the puck to the corner before Steinbach could pounce on it. A Piston was racing toward the puck simultaneously and was hooked by Tayem Gislason, leading to a power-play for Steinbach.

The second half of the season is about to begin for the Portage Terriers but tonight's contest marks a special milestone for one veteran defenceman. Matt McLeod will be taking part in his 150th MJHL game tonight against the Steinbach Pistons, and he says he wasn't even aware of that achievement.

"I don't really keep track of that but it's cool. It's definitely an accomplishment for myself."

A Portage Terrier has been selected as one of the MJHL's top stars of the week.

Bailey Monteith was chosen alongside Josh Paulhus (Niverville) and Mike Svenson (Winkler) to be the Original 16 Stars of the Week.

The Dog's goalie was selected largely due to his performance on December 21st when the Terriers took down the Winkler Flyers, 3-1. Monteith stopped 25 of the 26 shots sent his way.

Monteith is currently second in wins in the MJHL with 11.

In just one calendar year, the Portage Terriers have flipped their program on its head. At this point last year, the Dogs had a record of 13-14-3, almost ten wins less than where they sit at the halfway mark of this season, 22-6-2.

Terriers head coach and general manager Blake Spiller says the team started to hit their stride when the new year rolled around last season. After losing 13 of their first 15 games, the Dogs missed the playoffs by just one point, losing their final game of the season.

Portage's own Dean Stewart is enjoying his first season as a full-time American Hockey League player. The defenceman has six points this season with the Manitoba Moose, who have played quite well through 26 games.

The Portage Terriers played their last game of the year on Wednesday and now can head home for the holidays. 

Those trips home will look different for everyone on the team. Local players like Kian Calder and Ryan Botterill will likely stay put in Portage. Others like Austin Peters and Brandon McCartney have to spend less than an hour to get home to Winnipeg, but a few Terriers had quite the journey to see their friends and family.

Wednesday, December 21st - scores

MJHL
Portage 3 Winkler 1
Wpg Blues 3 Wpg Freeze 1

Zone 4 High School Hockey League
Carman 5 Garden Valley 3
Morden 10 Northlands Parkway 1
Morris 4 Miller 0
Pembina 5 Mountain 2

THHL
Melita 3 Deloraine 2 (SO)