After a quick start the Portage Terriers never looked back. They beat the Neepawa Natives last night 8-0 at the Yellowhead Centre.

After some penalty trouble in the first few minutes Chase Brakel got the Terriers on the board. Captain Ty Barnstable hit him with a cross seam pass and he one-timed it into the net 14 seconds into their first power play. Six minutes later Kolton Shindle batted home a rebound off the rush. He would get his second of night within five minutes. Braden Billaney hit him with a perfect pass in the slot and he rifled it off the cross bar and in. The Terriers lead 3-0 after the first period.

Portage would increase their pressure in the second period, but Neepawa goalie Nik Anderson stood tall. Things started to open up in the third and goals started to come in bunches. Sam Huston’s point shot found its way past Anderson’s outstretched glove, Joey Moffatt tapped home a rebound, Morgan Poirier had a point shot get through, Billaney snapped one high short side and Moffatt got a second as he crashed to the net. When it was all said and done Portage had scored five goals in two minutes and 22 seconds.

That was the end of the night for Anderson who let in eight goals on 33 shots. Kolby Thornton came into the game in relief and held down the fort as time expired. Nathan Moore made some nice saves in the third period but wasn’t truly tested. He stopped 19 for his team leading fourth shutout of the season.

Portage improves to 42-11-3 and stays four points ahead of Swan Valley for first place. The Terriers and Stampeders will square off on Friday night at Stride Place.

For the complete box score CLICK HERE.

Reilly Funk wins the faceoff