Over the past eight seasons, the Portage Terriers have experienced more success than any other point in their history, winning four Turnbull Cups and two Anavet Cups.

Starting on Sunday night, they will look for their fifth league title in eight years. Today, we embark on a journey to uncover the lost memories, the players who did the little things right, the unsung heroes of the Terrier dynasty.

We'll start with 2005. Coming off a loss in the previous year's Turnbull Cup finals, the team came out hungry to get over the hump and deliver a championship to Terrier Town. Players like Steve Haddon and Andrew Jackman provided the offense while Stefan Drew, Kip Workman and Leif Thorkelson anchored the defense. The team's success that season may not have come though without the contributions of a diminutive forward from Ohio. At only 5'6 and 155 lbs., Josh Boyd may not have been the biggest man on the ice, but he came through when it counted most. In 41 games during the regular season, Boyd put up 8 goals and 24 assists but it was in the playoffs where his star shone brightest. Clutch plays from the 18-year-old boosted the Dogs past OCN, Neepawa and Selkirk to claim the first league title for Portage since 1990. The team followed that up with a six game victory over Yorkton in the Anavet Cup series. Boyd recalls that memorable playoff run.



Following the 2005 season, the Terriers suffered back-to-back first round losses, setting the stage for another big breakout year in 2008. With a solid core of veterans, the team was just looking for that one player to push them over the top. They got it in defenseman Cody Johnson. The team acquired the 20-year-old blue-liner from the Selkirk Steelers following their Anavet Cup win in 2007. With the Terriers, Johnson had his most successful season points-wise, putting up 34 points in 60 games. He followed that up with a solid playoff run in which he patrolled the point on the powerplay and played the shutdown role on the penalty kill. Assistant Coach Paul Harland says it was a big deal to have Johnson in the dressing room.



Josh Boyd and Cody Johnson, two players who solidified talented rosters and helped to bring championships to Portage.

Come back at noon for Unsung Heroes of the Terrier Dynasty: Part Two.