Portage Terriers

History was made on Wednesday night when the Portage Terriers beat the Winnipeg Blues 8-3 at Stride Place. The win was the 671st regular season victory of Terrier head coach and GM Blake Spiller’s career, breaking the record previously held by Doug Stokes.

The new year started with a thud for the Portage Terriers who lost their first game of the 2024 4-1 Friday night to the Steinbach Pistons. Special teams were a big part of the night with the Pistons going 3/6 on the power play. 

Terrier assistant coach Robby Moar has been selected to coach team 20U Red at the 2024 MJHL-SJHL Showcase along with Justin Faulk (Winkler Flyers) and Alex Mandolidis (Winnipeg Blues).

“I’m pretty lucky to have the opportunity to go and represent the MJHL and the Portage Terriers,” says Moar. “I can’t wait to get to work with Justin and Alex and to be around the top talents in our league.”

The Portage Terriers had a hard time finding the back of the net on Sunday night as they fell 5-2 to the Neepawa Titans.

Portage started the first period strong out shooting Neepawa 21-14 but Titan goalie Mason Lobreau shut the door. As the period was about to expire, Titan forward Carter McLeod opened the scoring with his 11th of the season. 1-0 Neepawa after 1.

The Portage Terriers picked up their third win of the season on Sunday night beating the OCN Blizzard 3-1. The team was able to take advantage of a Blizzard club who was playing their third game in as many nights.

Terrier goalie Gavin Renwick made 29 saves in his second start as a Terrier. He was happy with the way his team played in front of him.

“Everyone was battling for a full 60 minutes. We’ve been struggling with our starts lately, but that was a good bounce back for us.”

The Portage Terriers picked up their second win of the season on Sunday night, beating the Winnipeg Freeze 6-2.

The Terriers emphatically ended their streak of allowing the first goal of the game as Gabriel Laflamme opened the scoring 18 seconds after opening puck drop. They didn’t let off the gas throughout the first period outshooting the Freeze 12-7. Slade Stanick scored midway through the period, and then Parker Korman added one with time winding down. 3-0 Portage after 1.

The Portage Terriers let a late third period lead slip away on Friday night, losing 4-3 in overtime to the Dauphin Kings.

The team has struggled in first periods so far in this young season and have yet to score the first goal of a game. Friday night was no different, as Myles Yearwood found the back of the net 1:26 into the match.

“We need to start the game earlier,” said Terrier defenceman Brett Magarrell. “We need to keep our feet moving and play as a team and the rest will come.”

With the 2023 Centennial Cup in the rearview mirror, the Portage Terriers are looking forward to what should be another great regular season. 

The Terriers started 2022-23 with the singular focus of competing for the Centennial Cup, which Portage hosted from May 11-21. It was a roster carousel with 43 different players suiting up for at least one game.

The Portage Terriers held their annual training camp this weekend at Stride Place.  

Friday afternoon saw the rookies check in and get in a couple of practice sessions led by assistant coach Robby Moar. They were split into three teams on Saturday morning and competed in scrimmages against each other. Some local players born in 2008 who aren’t eligible yet to make the team impressed in their debut.

“Ethan Breakey impressed with his ability and hockey sense,” says head scout Angus Moar. “He made hockey plays both with and without the puck.”

The Portage Terriers have acquired F Decker Mujcin (04) from the Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL) for future considerations.

Mujcin (5’9, 179) started his junior career last season with the Spruce Grove Saints before being moved to Grand Prairie after five games. He finished the season with 9 points in 48 games.

“Decker is a hard-working player who will bring a physical presence and depth to our offence,” says Terrier head coach and GM Blake Spiller.