It was a hard-fought battle between two top teams in the MJHL. The Portage Terriers edged the Steinbach Pistons last night 5-2 at Stride Place.

An even first period saw Steinbach and Portage trading chances. Brock Aiken and Matthew Radomsky both made 8 saves and were playing well. The Terriers broke the deadlock halfway through the second frame. Chase Brakel drove to the net on the power play and Daniel McKitrick picked up the rebound. It was his third goal of the season and fifth point as a Terrier. Steinbach responded six minutes later on a power play of their own. Darby Gula hit Braden Purtill with a long breakaway pass and he scored low blocker side.

The Pistons would take their first lead of the game early in the third period. Will Koop's centring pass bounced off the shin of the players driving the net and it redirected past Aiken. Trailing for the first time in the game, Portage responded quickly. Less than two minutes later Joey Moffatt tipped home a Cole Oliver point shot for his first as a Terrier. The game started to get physical and Easton Bennett was sent to the box for roughing Jeremey Leipsic.

Brakel would score on the ensuing power play, and then he would score again three minutes later. Both goals were a result of him going to the net and getting his stick in the right place. James McIsaac would score his team-leading fourth of the season on a wraparound to put the game out of reach. Big hits would keep coming for both teams, and eventually, Turner Santin dropped the gloves with Bennett.

Aiken made 25 stops to pick up his third win of the season and keep the Terriers at a perfect 3-0. Portage finished the night 2/6 with the man advantage. The next test for the Dogs comes on Saturday when they play the undefeated Neepawa Natives at Stride Place. Puck drop is at 7:30 pm.

For the complete box score CLICK HERE.

Scott Mickoski drives the net