The Portage Terriers open their Manitoba Junior Hockey League season against Virden for the 3rd year in a row.

The Terriers are 2-0 in their last two openers visiting Virden, winning 9-0 in 2014 and 4-1 last year. Terriers' Head Coach Blake Spiller says teams look very different from the preseason so it's hard to judge their opponents until they hit the ice. He says it's about being focused on their game, and coming ready to play.

"As every year, hopefully we get off to a good start. On the road we seem to be alright to start with, so hopefully we'll get off to a good start in their building and get the first one."

The Terriers recently named returning forward Adam Wowryk as the Captain of the club. He's honoured to be leading the team this season, and says there's more to being a captain than just leading by example on the ice.

"I've got to be a voice in the room and speak up when it's necessary. If the boys aren't having a good game to say something, and to lift peoples' spirits up if they're not on their game that day."

Wowryk says they need to keep things simple heading into game 1.

"It's the first game of the season and we're still trying to get systems down-pat. I think we just have to get pucks down low and keep banging bodies for the first game. Put pucks on net because anything can go in."

The Terriers are 5-0 in their last 5 opening games. Tonight's game starts at 7:30 in Virden, catch the pregame show with Ryan Simpson on CFRY and at Portage Online dot com.