The Portage Terriers fans can finally see the Dogs in action once again tomorrow night. The Terriers kick off the preseason tomorrow at home as they welcome the Virden Oil Capitals to Stride Place. 

Virden was the team to ruin the Terriers' playoff hopes in the final game of last season. Portage needed the two points to secure a postseason birth and ended up losing a 3-2 nailbiter in front of the home fans. Forward Daniel Siso says the end of the year left a sour taste in his mouth and adds he will use it as motivation this season.

"We definitely don't want to relive that moment," Siso continues. "We're just trying to build off last season but keep that game in the back of our mind going into this year."

With so many returning players this year, local forward Riley Borody says it's been great to see all the familiar faces.

"It's nice when you know a bunch of the guys who are coming back," Borody explains. "It's fun that way, and we're already going to have a little bit of chemistry with the guys coming back. So, that's always good."

Borody says he is beyond excited to take part in the Centennial Cup Tournament at the end of this season. The last time Portage hosted the tournament was in 2015 and the Portager notes he got to witness firsthand what that atmosphere is like.

"That final game was packed. I can't imagine playing in that but I can't wait to, hopefully, play in that," says Borody. "Words can't even describe how excited I would be for that."

Siso shares that he is very grateful to have the opportunity to play in the Centennial Cup, noting he's watched a few of the past tournaments on TV and can't wait for young hockey players to now watch him on that screen.

The forward adds his main goal for this year is to build off the success they had last season, especially in the last couple of months.

"At the end of last year, you could definitely see it. We had some chemistry going, and having so many guys coming back going into this year, you'll definitely see a lot more of that."

Siso was the Terriers' leading goal scorer last year and notes training camp was very competitive this weekend and has put them in a good mental state heading into the preseason.

The Terriers and Oil Capitals will face off tomorrow night in Portage, with puck drop set for 7:30.

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