The Portage Terriers played great for fifty minutes on Friday night but it wasn’t enough as they fell 4-3  in overtime to the Niverville Nighthawks.

Portage started the game strong scoring on an early power play; Cam Bullinger cleaned up a rebound at the side of the net. The Terriers stayed in control of the play outshooting Niverville 13-8.

The Nighthawks started the second period in penalty trouble. Terrier defenceman Parker Scherr blasted a shot upstairs on a 5 on 3 advantage to make it 2-0 Portage. Nolan Nenow then scored on the power play off a nice give and go with Nick Guberman to make it 3-0. The Terriers’ penalty kill was a perfect 4/4 through two periods and their power play finished 3/7.

Things started to turn Niverville’s way ten minutes into the third period. Carter Spirig got the Nighthawks on the board when he snapped a shot over the glove of Terrier goalie Jayden Catellier. Four minutes later Michael Tanchak slid a shot under Catellier’s pad as he was driving to the net. 3-2 Portage.

In the dying seconds, with the Niverville net empty, Slade Stanick had a chance to close out the game but missed the empty net from a tough angle. Spirig then deflected a point shot home to tie the game at three.

It didn’t take Niverville long to close out the game in overtime. They rode their momentum to victory when Kaycee Coyle scored 18 seconds into the extra frame.

The Terriers lost for the first time this season when leading after two periods. They outshot Niverville 31-28 and the two teams will meet again Wednesday at Stride Place.

Portage will play one more game between now and then in Waywayseecappo on Sunday.

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