Late game heroics from Ty Enns and Takato Cox for the Portage Terriers gave them the 3-2 win last night over the Steinbach Pistons. Portage scored two goals in the last 1:11 to take a one-game lead in the best of seven MJHL semi-finals.

The first period started with both teams trading chances but unable to find the back of the net. Brock Aiken made 10 stops in net for Portage including a highlight reel glove save. The Thunder Bay product was making his second start in a row.

Early in the second, Portager Drew Anderson forced a turnover for the Pistons when Aiken came out of his net to play the puck. He fed it in front of the net to Braden Purtill who tapped it home. It was his team-leading sixth goal of the playoffs.

Ty Enns goes after the puck

Ryan Sokoloski would respond for Portage early in the third period. He found a rebound at the side of the net and tucked it up and over Roman Bengert. Steinbach would regain the lead 10 minutes later; Jack Johnson finished off a one-timer on the doorstep.

With time winding down the Portage Terriers pulled their goalie for the extra skater. An empty net was missed by Steinbach and Portage was able to come back down the ice. They scored moments later after an offensive zone face off. Enns fired a shot through traffic off the crossbar and into the net.

With the game tied, Portage put out their well rested fourth line. Cox raced up the ice on a 3-1, took the shot and scored his first goal of the postseason over the glove of Bengert. With 17 seconds left Steinbach pulled their goalie but were unable to tie the game. The Terriers now have a 2-1 series lead heading back to Portage on Friday night.

For the complete box score click here.

Takato Cox in front of the net