The Portage Terriers are going to be in front of their home crowd for the first time in 2022 tonight. The Dogs are welcoming the Neepawa Titans to Stride Place tonight in their second meeting with the squad this season.

The Terriers have yet to win a game in the new year as they were defeated in their lone contest last weekend as they fell 8-4 to the Virden Oil Capitals. Defenceman Tyler Dodgson outlines what they'll want to do differently this weekend.

"Last week definitely didn't go our way. It wasn't up to par on where we want to be," says Dodgson. "So, I think some of the things we need to focus on is being more defensive-minded and taking care of our own end before we worry about scoring. Also, we just need to be more consistent all over the ice."

The Terriers will look a bit different this weekend as they have added three new players to their lineup since their last outing in Nathan Hinds, Hayden Lacquette, and Slade Stanick.

"We've had a few practices with the new guys and it has been great so far," Dodgson continues. "They're fitting in and gelling with the team well. I think they can fill some big spots that were issues in our lineup. So, it's going to be good to see how they play against Neepawa this weekend."

Dodgson says the loss of team captain Logan Calder this week has left the opportunity for some of the younger guys to step up in the locker room and on the ice.

"It's been different not having him because he was one of the main voices in the room (locker room) that we were always hearing," Dodgson explains. "Since he's been gone, there are a couple of guys stepping up and filling in that role and are doing what he used to do. We should be alright without him but we still miss him."

The Titans come into this one having split their last three two-game series and will be looking to win a set of back-to-back games against the same team for just the second time all season. Dodgson outlines the challenges that the Titans present.

"The biggest thing with them is they're a pretty physical team, so we'll have to be able to take hits and still make plays," says Dodgson. "We'll have to sacrifice the body in certain moments to make the right plays. Hopefully, that can help us get some wins this weekend."

The Terriers took down the Titans 3-2 in overtime in their first meeting of the season.

Tonight's outing will go down at 7:30 at Stride Place with the following game coming tomorrow in Neepawa also at 7:30.