mar062012terriersopeningfaceoff

The Portage Terriers and Selkirk Steelers put on an entertaining back-and-forth contest in game three of the Addison Division semi-final series last night.

For the second straight game, the Portage Terriers came back from a third period deficit to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Dogs played host to Selkirk last night for game three in the best-of-seven Addison Division semi-final series. It was the visitors who struck first as Chris Daniels and Kyle Mulder buried goals to put the Steelers up 2-0 just over eight minutes in. Before the first was over, the Terriers would get on the board thanks to local product Tanner Waldvogel. The bruising winger notched his first of the postseason after a nifty pass from Shaq Merasty to make it a 2-1 score going into the second.


Nothing says hockey in Portage la Prairie like Harry Funk's "O Canada".

The Dogs kept up the pace during the next frame, tying things at 2-2 just over a minute in on a powerplay goal from Yvan Pattyn. Just over ten minutes later, Tyler Anton crossed the blue-line and sniped his first of the playoffs to put Portage ahead 3-2, giving the Terriers their first lead of the game. Hudson Friesen made sure the lead didn't last long. The Steelers leading scorer buried his third of the playoffs just over a minute later, making it a 3-3 tie at the second intermission.

Friesen struck again midway through the third to put Selkirk up 4-3 but once again, the Terriers found another gear to go to. With just 1:42 left on the clock, Brendan Harms pounced on a juicy rebound and buried his first of the playoffs to tie things at 4-4 and force overtime.


Brent Wold lines up with Regan Stire during last night's tilt.

The Dogs came out flying the extra frame and it paid off as Tanner Waldvogel blasted the winner just 2:28 into the fourth period, sending the Portage fans into a frenzy.

Adam Iwan picked up the win in net for Portage, stopping 28 of 32 shots.


Adam Iwan continues to provide solid play in the absence of starting netminder Shea Cooper. The 18-year-old made it three straight playoff wins with a 28 save performance last night.

The win puts Portage up 3-0 in the series and gives them the chance to sweep things up on Friday night in Selkirk. Defenseman Yvan Pattyn says the plan for game four will be simple.

"We just gotta come out hard, play our game and battle all night." says the second year blue-liner.


Connor Faupel and Tyler Harland check out the action.

There was more news on the injury front last night as well. Top defender Cody Kostecki missed the game due to an undisclosed injury. Game four goes Friday night in Selkirk. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm.