The Portage Terriers hung on for the 2-1 road victory last night against the Steinbach Pistons in Manitoba Junior Hockey league action. It was the fifth meeting of the season between the two teams and the first win for Portage. The Terriers were plagued with a slow start in their most recent match on January 25th, but that wasn't the case last night. Ty Enns had a seeing eye shot find its way through traffic on the power play four minutes into the game. Portage outshot Steinbach in the first 16-8.

Portage continued to play well early in the second when Chase Brakel scored the eventual game winner. He found a loose puck tight to the net and lifted it over the right pad of the sprawling Roman Bengert. Taking on a number one team like Steinbach, assistant captain Brakel knows it's an important win.

"It was definitely a good start for us. The power play goal early in the game was big. We know we had all four lines going, and everybody contributing. It was a big win for us."

Kurtis Chapman was a bit busier in the Terrier net in the second period, stopping 17 of 18. The Pistons found the back of the net for their lone tally, on a short side power play goal from Tyler Anderson.

The Terriers would play steady for the remainder of the second and throughout the third. Steinbach pulled their goalie late but they couldn't square it up. Chapman stopped 32 of 33 for the win.

Portage has a quick turnaround as they are on the road again tonight in Selkirk against the Steelers. Selkirk is coming off a 6-0 win last night over the Virden Oil Capitals. The Steelers are three points ahead of Portage in the standings for third.

For the complete box score CLICK HERE.

 

STANDING UPDATE

Despite gaining two points on the first place Steinbach Pistons, the Terriers remain one point back of OCN in fourth, and three points behind Selkirk in third. The Blizzard and Steelers also won their games last night, beating Neepawa and Virden respectively.

 

Terriers during a period timeout