The Portage Terriers are 1 step closer to capturing their second Manitoba Junior Hockey League Turnbull Cup Championship in as many years, thanks to last night's 3-0 victory over Steinbach Pistons in Game 3 at the PCU Centre.

The Terriers and Pistons were scoreless through the first period, with Portage outshooting their opponents 16-6 through the frame.

Terriers' forward Jeremy Leipsic was able to break the tie in the second, with a breakaway five-hole goal off a pass from Adam Wowryk. Again the Terriers dominated the play in the second, setting up a 1-0 third period.

Portage struck quick into the 3rd on the powerplay, and again it was Jeremy Leipsic who finished the play. Terriers' Captain Brad Bowles left the puck for Brett Orr at the point, who found Leipsic wide open at the back door. Dean Stewart would add another powerplay goal with 3 minutes to go in the game, with the assists going to Shawn Bowles and Jeremy Leipsic.

Leipsic's first goal of the night for the dogs

Nathan Park stopped all 23 shots he faced for the shutout, while Brad Bowles extended his point streak to 24 games. Park says last night's win was potentially the most important so far.

"Game 3 is always a pivotal match-up. I think the fact that we could do that, especially on home ice, it was big getting this one to get (Game 4) in their minds there."

Terriers' forward Nick Henry left the game in the first period, opening up a lot more ice time for guys like Jeremy Leipsic. He talks about his experience playing with the Bowles' twins.

"Pretty easy to play with the Bowles', so I was getting some extra ice time with them a little bit on the powerplay. I think it was big for us to cash in on that 5-on-3, and I was just trying to make the most of the opportunity I got with them."

Park making one of his many saves on the night

Leipsic knows it's the biggest game of a lot of their players' careers, but they can't be focusing on that.

"I mean it's hard not for it to run through anybody's mind, but we still have to take care of one more game. I think that will be the main focus for us heading into game 4."

Park expects a very tough game in Steinbach Sunday night.

"(Steinbach) will have a good push back there, especially in front of their home crowd. They're playing for their lives, their last 60 minutes potentially. So we just have to make sure we're on them early, and kind of take the wind out of their sails."

Game 4 is Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in Steinbach.