The Terriers fell in game 2 on the WCC to the Chilliwack Chiefs. Both teams were tentative in the first feeling each other out and only registering 11 shots total. The Chiefs were first on the board with a goal from Lee on a 2 on 1 at 5:08. Portage’s McIsaac would tie the game on the rush at 12:18 with assists from Brakel and Leipsic. At 17:08 Chilliwack’s Kawaguchi scored a shorthanded marker at 17:08 going top shelf on a 2 on 1. The Terriers fought back in the third with chances that they were unable to capitalize on. Portage pulled Chapman with less than a minute left, but couldn’t find the tying marker. The final shots on goal were 28-19 for the Terriers, with neither team scoring on the powerplay. The Terriers have tomorrow off and face the Brooks Bandits Wednesday at 9:00 CST.

Portage celebrates the win over Battleford. The Portage Terriers made their Western Canada Cup debut this afternoon in Penticton against the Battleford North Stars of the SJHL. Portage had a slow first 10 minutes as they were tentative feeling out the Saskatchewan Champs. Battleford was first to score at the 5:08 minute mark when Ben Allen found the back of the net with a snap shot from the top of the circle to beat Kurtis Chapman. After the first period break, the Terriers fell in to a rhythm and started to get pucks to the net. The first frame would end with Battleford scoring the only goal and outshooting the dogs 13-7. Portage came out in the second with confidence and energy and they were rewarded at 9:26 when Chase Brakel deflected a shot from Mackenzie Dwyer to tie the game at one. Mackenzie Dwyer would go on to score a goal of his own on the powerplay at 16:08 for a Terrier lead heading in to the intermission. The Terriers doubled up the North Stars on shots in the second with 14-7. The third period mirrored the second with the Terriers taking advantage scoring 2 powerplay goals. Brakel scoring his second of the game on a lucky bounce that left their goalie out of position and Mackenzie Dwyer scoring his second of the game burying a rebound of the end boards. Not ready to throw in the towel, Battleford fought back with two goals of their own in a span of 1:13 to come within one. They would pull their goalie with just under two minutes to play, but Ty Enns would slam the door shut with his fist of the tournament in the empty net with 9.8 seconds to go. The Terriers pick up 3 points and Chapman gets his first win stopping 28 shots in the effort while Chase Brakel is named player of the game. Portage went 3 for 5 on the powerplay while Battleford was 0 for 3. The Terriers next game is tomorrow night against the Chilliwack Chiefs, game time 9:00pm CST.

Portage held a Pep Rally to congratulate the Terriers on winning the MJHL and wish them well as they head off to the Western Canada Cup in Penticton tomorrow. The Rally was held last night at Stride Place and was attended by roughly 150-200 people in a come and go setting. The team was on hand signing autographs and taking pictures. Playoff MVP and assistant captain Josh Martin said it was a great to meet all the kids and a great way to give back to the dedicated fans that supported them all season. The Terriers head off to Penticton tomorrow for their 3rd straight appearance in the WCC. Their first game is this sunday versus the Battleford North Stars, game time 4:00pm CST. All games will be broadcast on CFRY and Portage online. A big thank you to all the sponsors of the Pep Rally, Pepsi, Pratt's Wholesale, Goldenwest Radio and Portage Co-op.

http://globalnews.ca/news/3403888/long-time-trainer-key-to-portage-terriers-success/

The Terriers will once again be having a Pep Rally for their fans to come down and get autographs and their picture with the Turnbull Cup this Wednesday at Stride Place. From 5-7pm you can bring the family down to the arena for a hamburger, chips and drink for $5 and meet your favorite Terriers. The Team will be on hand signing autographs and taking pictures. It's a great chance to meet your favorite player and to wish them well as they head to Penticton on Friday for the Western Canada Cup. A big thank-you to the Pep Rally Sponsors, Pepsi, Pratt's Wholesale, Goldenwest Radio and Portage Co-op.  

For the third straight year, the Portage Terriers hoist the Turnbull Cup as the MJHL Champions. The 5th place Portage Terriers beat the 3rd place OCN Blizzard last night at Stride Place in front of a season record crowd of 2288 fans. Many doubted that the Terriers would repeat as champions after falling 2-0 in the series to the Blizzard and being outscored 14-3, but the young team rebounded with 4 straight wins to keep their title. For the second game in a row, Chase Brakel would score the game winner finding the back of the net on a beautiful pass in the slot from James McIsaac. The only goal of the game was scored just 1:14 in. Portage had a solid first period playing well in their own zone. They were first to go on the powerplay, but unable to add to their lead. 1-0 after 20 minutes with both teams registering 6 shots. The Blizzard had some opportunities to tie the game in the second when Portage took 3 minors in the first 10 minutes of the frame. Josh Martin and Kain Stevenson blocked some big shots and Kurtis Chapman was on and OCN was unable to convert. Portage had another solid 20 minutes in the third and despite pulling their goalie, OCN would be shut out in game 6 and lose their 4th straight to the defending champs. Kurtis Chapman stopped all 27 shots faced and picked up his third playoff shutout. Chase Brakel was named Keystone Sports first star of the game scoring the lone goal and describes the experience as special. “This year was a lot different, it felt a little sweeter to win it being an underdog and knocking off the top seeds to win it all and coming from behind in the final series.” MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis and Director of Operations Kevin Saurette were on hand to hand out the league awards; Jeremey Leipsic picked up Top Scorer of the Playoffs Brett Epp named Goaltender of the Playoffs Josh Martin named MVP of the Playoffs This year’s captain Riley Thiessen then hoisted the cup to a very loud Dog Pound. “It’s an amazing feeling and it’s hard to put in to words. We had a great opportunity that we took advantage of and the guys worked hard all year to be here. Both Championships were a great experience for me, but I think this one feels a little sweeter being my last year and being able to go out on top.” – Riley Thiessen Josh Martin was shocked to be named Playoff MVP. “Honestly it crossed my mind that my name was pulled from a hat. There were a lot of MVP’s in the room and it could have gone to a lot of guys. I’m just glad I was able to contribute to the team winning.” Next up for the Terriers is the Western Canada Cup in Penticton BC. The round robin starts April 29th and includes the host team Penticton Vees, Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL, Brooks Bandits of the AJHL and the Battleford North Stars of the SJHL. A big thank you to the people of Portage and our fans, the best in the MJHL for all the support this season. Stay tuned!

Portage steals a 3-1 win in OCN last night to bring themselves one won away from winning the Turnbull Cup for the third straight season. After losing games 1 and 2 in OCN, the Terriers were looking for a different outcome in game 5 after having success at home. The first 20 minutes were scoreless as Portage was unable to convert on three powerplay opportunities and the Blizzard didn’t have any great scoring chances. The second would be a different story as Ty Barnstable found the back of the net just :49 in to the second frame on the 2 on 1. 8 minutes later on the powerplay Mackenzie Dwyer found mesh on a one timer for a 2-0 Terriers lead that left the packed Gordon Laithlin Memorial Centre quiet. With some pressure and the extra attacker, Justin Nachbaur scored the Blizzard’s first and only goal beating Kurtis Chapman on a scramble in front. OCN came out in the third looking to even the score, but the Terriers were solid and put the game out of reach with an empty netter from Ryan Hendrix with 1:07 to go in the game. Kurtis Chapman picks up the win and the Terriers take a 3-2 lead in the series with their third straight win. Portage will be looking to close out the series at home on Wednesday at 7:30pm.

Portage celebrates Chase Brakel's goal and the overtime win. Portage tied the best of 7 MJHL final series tonight at 2 beating the OCN Blizzard 4-3 in overtime in front of their biggest crowd this season. For the second game in a row, Portage was first to strike when Jeremey Leipsic found the back of the net 3:28 in to the first on the powerplay. The lead was short lived as Dumont tied the game a minute and a half later putting one passed Chapman with Elie and King assisting. The next goal of the game wouldn’t come for another 27 minutes, both teams having their chances with neither one converting until Rafter scored the go ahead goal over halfway through the second, Elie and King assisting again. Heading in to the third down one, Josh Martin buried an end board rebound to score the tying goal just 35 seconds in to the final frame. Portage would regain the lead later in the period when Takato Cox found Cody Thompson open on the right wing and he was able to beat Epp from the top of the circle. With 1:18 left in the game, OCN pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. Unlike the night before they were able to tie it up with Anthony Keeper finding George King back door. Into the extra frame, both teams fought off a penalty before Chase Brakel banged home a James McIsaac rebound for the game winner! Kurtis Chapman picked up his second win of the series making 19 saves. Portage heads to OCN this Sunday for Game 5 at 7pm. You can listen to the game on CFRY with Cody B. Game 6 will be back in Portage Wednesday April 19th, tickets on sale now at Stride Place.

Portage celebrates Cox's opening goal. Portage beat the visiting OCN Blizzard 3-2 in game 3 last night of the best of 7 MJHL Final in front of a packed Dog Pound. Portage came out of the gate finishing checks and throwing pucks on net registering 5 shots before OCN took their first. 3:14 into the game Takato Cox scored his first of the series picking up his own rebound and finding the back of the net for the Terriers first lead of the series. Portage finished the period outshooting OCN a solid 12-5. Portage looked like they might get in to some trouble when Layne Toder took a minor for tripping and a minute later Mackenzie Dwyer would join him in the box for slashing giving OCN a 5 on 3 for a minute. Josh Martin ended up scoring shorthanded beating Epp at 7:32 of the second for a two goal Terrier lead. Just over a minute later Hebert would cut the Terriers lead in half tipping a puck passed Chapman. Then with a 1:19 left in the frame, George King found mesh on a scramble in front to tie the game at 2. Portage regained the lead when Takato Cox broke away down the right wing and beat Epp with a snipe from the top of the circle. With 1:24 left in the 3rd OCN pulled their goalie trying to even things up and force the extra frame, but Portage hung on for the win. Chapman picks up the win with 21 saves. Portage went 0 for 5 on the powerplay and OCN went 0 for 2. Game 4 goes tomorrow night at Stride Place 7:30pm. OCN leads the series 2-1.

Bemidji State’s Harms wins prestigious 2016-17 Senior CLASS Award® Friday, April 7, 2017 OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Bemidji State University forward Brendan Harms has been selected as the winner of the 2016-17 Senior CLASS Award® for collegiate hockey. Harms is the first Bemidji State student-athlete to win the prestigious award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s hockey coaches, national hockey media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s hockey. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. “Winning the Senior CLASS Award really means a lot,” said Harms. “When I saw the list of nominees, they are all great players and they are amazing people too. Just to have the opportunity to be nominated and then to make the short list of finalists was an extreme honor for me. When you put the work in to balance life as a student-athlete and try to contribute more than just on the ice, and then get acknowledged for that, it’s an amazing feeling.” “Bemidji State and NCAA Hockey has been a great platform for me to do more for myself and the people around me. First and foremost I got tremendous coaching, which allowed me to be better on the ice, but they also preach being a great person. Because Bemidji is a smaller community I have had so many opportunities to get involved in the community and get to know people, help out and make a difference.” Harms finished his Beaver hockey career with 21 points (8g-13a) in 2016-17, which included six power-play goals and two game-winners as a senior, capping his forth-consecutive collegiate season with at least 20 points. “Brendan Harms personifies what it means to be a student-athlete,” said Bemidji State Head Coach Tom Serratore. "He does everything the right way, always committed to his work in the classroom, in the community and on the ice. He leads by example and makes a positive impact with everything he does and everyone he meets. He is a great representative of Beaver Hockey and leaves Bemidji State and our community a better place.” With 88 career points (33g-55a) in four seasons and 141 games, Harms ranks among the top 12 on BSU’s Division I-era scoring list, while his 55 assists place him eighth at BSU since 1999-2000. An All-WCHA Third Team selection (2014-15), and a three-time recipient of the WCHA’s Scholar-Athlete Awards as well as a three-time member of the league’s all-academic team, Harms finished his career totaling at least 20 points in each of his four seasons at BSU, which includes a career-best 25 points (8g-17a) as a junior (2015-16). Harms’ commitment to excellence extends far beyond the confines of the boards. As a volunteer, he has worked with the Bemidji Boy’s and Girl’s Club, BSU’s Campus Clean Up Project, the local food shelf and community garden and the suicide prevention run/walk, while he has assisted fellow students during BSU’s fall move-in and visited Heartland Christian Academy during recess to play hockey with the students. Harms owns a 4.0 grade point average as a business administration major with a minor in human performance. He is on track to graduate in the spring of 2017. The Beavers finished the 2016-17 campaign with an overall record of 22-16-3, to mark the first time BSU has posted at least 22 wins since the 2009-10 season. Bemidji State also recorded a 20-6-2-2 record in WCHA play, to set a program record for wins as a member of the league (since 2010-11), won its 22nd conference title and its first as a member of the WCHA, the MacNaughton Cup and treated its dedicated fans to a Sanford Center-record 13 home wins. Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). –bsu–