Penalty trouble in the second period cost the Portage Terriers in game one of the MJHL semi-finals. The Dogs fell 5-4 last night to the Steinbach Pistons at the T.G. Smith Centre.

Both teams eased into the first period with a few chances in the first ten minutes. Ryan Sokoloski had a goal disallowed due to kicking it into the net. The Terriers would score first when Layne Toder had a point shot trickle past Roman Bengert. The Pistons would tie the game before the end of the frame. Wyatt Hinson tapped home a backdoor pass from Mackenzie Graham.

Scott Mickoski screens Roman Bengert

The Pistons came out firing on all cylinders in the second period. Braden Purtill finished off a pass in front of the net less than a minute into the frame. Portage would take three straight penalties in a 5-minute span, with frustration mounting after each one. The Pistons would score two with the man advantage. Tyler Anderson had the first and Bradley Schoonbaert the second. Steinbach was up 4-1 less than six minutes into the second period. Five minutes later Ty Barnstable would try and mount a Terrier comeback when he found the back of the net on the first Terrier power play of the game.

Portage would draw within one in the third period when Mackenzie Dwyer slapped one home off the rush. Will Koop restored the two-goal lead for the Pistons three minutes later with the man advantage when Kurtis Chapman coughed up the puck behind the Terrier net. Barnstable notched his second of the night with six minutes to play, but despite pulling the goalie the Terriers were unable to tie the game. Chapman made 33 saves in the loss. The Pistons ended the night 3-6 on the power play.

Game two is Sunday afternoon at Stride Place. Puck drop is at 4:30 pm and the CFRY pregame show starts at 4:20 pm.

For the complete box score CLICK HERE.

Cody Thompson looks for a breakout pass