The Portage Terriers are surging heading into 2022. The Dogs' ended the year having won six of their last seven games, which was in no small part due to a few additions made near the end of last month.

The Terriers acquired forwards Kyle Grysiuk and Nathan Flodell 12 games ago and added another forward in Mason Smith two games later. Since the arrival of Flodell and Grysuik, the Terriers have gone 9-2-1 and had only won five games all season prior to this stretch. Terrier captain Logan Calder says they have helped a ton since coming to Portage.

"They've been great since they arrived. Flodell, Smith, and Grysiuk have all made an impact since they came here," says Calder. "They all play different styles of hockey and have all had a big impact on the team."

Grysiuk was shipped to the Terriers from the Winnipeg Blues and says he's enjoyed his experience so far.

"I feel like I've been fitting in pretty well," Grysiuk explains. "I've been getting a lot more ice time compared to where I played before. The opportunity is there for me and I feel like I'm doing alright, and I hope to continue getting better."

The 17-year-old forward says he has enjoyed the atmosphere in Portage since joining the Terriers and notes he has always wanted to play here. Grysiuk has put up two assists in seven games of action as a Terrier.

Nathan Flodell came over from the Flin Flon Bombers and had only played four games at the Junior A level before coming to Portage. Since his arrival, Flodell has found the back of the net and dished out a pair of assists in nine games of action.

The biggest contributor of the three has been Mason Smith. The 18-year-old forward has been a consistent member of the scoresheet as he has seven goals and an assist in his ten games of action. The Rochester, New York product says he feels like it's been a seamless transition.

"It feels good, I'm playing a lot here," says Smith. "Obviously, I'm in a different role on this team and I like that a lot. I like the direction we're going in and it's going to be fun getting into a playoff spot and seeing where that goes."

Smith has found success alongside linemates Brenden Holba and Austin McLean. He describes what it is like playing with them.

"Those guys are two of the fastest guys are our team," Smith explains. "So, for me it's fun playing with those guys, chipping pucks and getting to skate with them."

The Terriers will look to keep rolling in the new year as they return to the ice on Friday, January 7 as they travel to Virden for a meeting with the Oil Capitals.