Portage Terriers

The recent roster release for the MJHL's squads at the MJHL-SJHL Showcase in Winnipeg featured a bunch of players from the Portage Terriers

The showcase gives players a chance to compete against some of the top talent in the other league, featuring two squads of players 20 and under, and one 18 and under team.

Great goaltending and a solid defensive effort led the Portage Terriers to a 3-0 win over the Steinbach Pistons on Wednesday night.

Portage came out of the gate on fire. Scott Cousins was sprung on a breakaway, and he went high blocker side to open the scoring two minutes into the game. Steinbach started to get their feet under them and upped the pressure, but the score stayed 1-0 Portage heading into the intermission.

The Terriers have been off to a solid start in the second half of the season, only one loss to this point in the new year, and two major reasons are Cameron Bullinger and Nolan Nenow. The gap is now down to two points separating those two as they sit third and fourth in the MJHL respectively in scoring. Bullinger leads the way with 48 points, and Nenow with 46.

A tightly-contested affair between the Portage Terriers and Winkler Flyers ended in a 3-2 shootout loss for Portage.

Koy Funk's 13th of the season would come on the powerplay, as a long shot from Nolan Nenow would get a nice tip over the glove hand of Flyers netminder Liam Ernst to get Portage up 1-0.

Winkler would add a goal in the second period to make it a 1-1 game, as Portage found themselves hemmed in their own end following a penalty kill. That would last until the end of the second period.

The Portage Terriers continued their hot streak Wednesday night, securing their fifth consecutive win with a commanding 5-2 victory over the Dauphin Kings.

Special teams were the story of the night, with Portage converting four of five power play opportunities and killing off seven of eight penalties, including a crucial two-minute 5-on-3 disadvantage.

A hot start and strong forecheck led the Portage Terriers to a 6-4 win over the Selkirk Steelers on Tuesday night. Portage came out of the gate firing.

In the first minute of the game Selkirk goalie Noel Olsonawski got caught playing the puck behind his net and Will McKay blasted it into an empty cage for his fifth of the season.

The Terriers kept the pressure coming and Koy Funk deposited a rebound six minutes later to make it 2-0 Portage.

Hockey has a way of bringing people together, and the Portage Terriers are witnessing that first-hand.

Jacob Michelson, a Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan product, largely appeared out of the aether to slot into the Dogs lineup on opening night in Neepawa and quickly became a favourite in Portage, due to his consistent effort and work ethic on every shift.

He shares his thoughts on coming out and living in Portage 

The Portage Terriers picked up where they left off in 2024 with a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Freeze.

Near the middle of the first period, Wyatt Dreger found a puck sitting in some open ice after a scramble in front, and put away Portage's first goal in 2025.

He outlines his thoughts on scoring that marker.

"It feels really good, actually. Hopefully more will come."

That was the only shot to find the scoreboard, as Portage led Winnipeg 1-0 through 20 minutes. Portage outshot Winnipeg 12-4 in the frame.

Every year, 13 teams are in competition for the Turnbull Cup, and so far this season, the Portage Terriers are holding themselves in playoff contention with their eyes on another ring. Head Coach and General Manager Blake Spiller, along with Marketing Director Cody Buhler, presented their thoughts on the past calendar year, along with some of the plans they are looking forward to in the coming year.

Spiller notes that while the first half of 2024 didn't end how they hoped, they faced a team that deserved the chances the got.

With most hockey seasons taking breaks, that means lots of players are travelling home for the holidays, including members of the Portage Terriers.