For the third year in a row, the Portage Terriers are heading to the Turnbull Cup final. A shutout from Kurtis Chapman sealed the series for the Dogs last night as they beat the Steinbach Pistons 2-0 at Stride Place. Team defence was the story for Portage as they held off one of the best offences in the league.

Kurtis Chapman makes a save. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

The game started tentatively with both teams not wanting to make a mistake. Terrier forward Ryan Sokoloski took the only penalty of the first period which carried over into the second. Portage thought they opened the scoring 52 seconds into the second frame but the goal was waved off. As Sokoloski came out of the penalty box, he grabbed the puck which had been cleared by Riley Thiessen and scored on a breakaway. The referees determined that he had played the puck before completely exiting the penalty box, making him an ineligible player. The goal was taken back, and Sokoloski was sent back to the penalty box for another two minutes.

Portage would get a goal to count seven minutes later on the power play. Chase Brakel hit James McIsaac in front of the net, and he was able to slide it "5-hole" on Roman Bengert. For McIsaac, it was his first of the post-season.

Terrier forward James McIsaac in action. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

The Terriers would strike again 3 minutes later; Scott Mickoski scored his third of the playoffs. A rebound came to him at the side of the net and he was able to get to the puck before Bengert.

Halfway through the period, Ty Enns would get into a scrum with Wyatt Hinson leading to offsetting minor penalties. Enns was given a 10-minute misconduct and was ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct after the penalty was called. With one less player on the left wing, it opened up ice time for Ryan Hendrix and Takato Cox who played more as the game went along.

The Terriers were able to play simple hockey for the remainder of the game, not allowing many quality chances for Steinbach. Chapman made 27 saves to hold on for his second shutout of the playoffs. Portage knocked off the number 1 seeded Steinbach Pistons four games to two and advance to the MJHL final against the OCN Blizzard.

For the complete box score click here.

Jeremey Leipsic in action. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)