Story Courtesy Jared Thiessen (Portageonline.com)
The Portage Terriers opened the home schedule of their second half of the regular season with a 5-0 win over the Swan Valley Stampeders.
The Terriers also honoured former Terrier Brady Grasdal with a pregame tribute by having his parents and billet family, along with recently re-acquired defenceman Ashton Fishley at center ice.
Grasdal passed away in a tragic accident while on vacation on December 16, 2023. The Moose Jaw, SK, product played all 8 games with the Terriers in the abbreviated 2020-21 season, and then 45 the next season. Patrolling the blue line, he had one goal and 11 assists as a Terrier. A fun person to have around and a great teammate, he made an impact in the community working as an Educational Assistant in Oakville and Arthur Meighen. He will be missed by the entire community and Terrier organization.
Terrier assistant captain Daniel Siso was a roommate of Grasdal’s during his time with the Terriers. He scored the first goal, which also ended up being the game winner. He spoke about scoring that goal, and honouring Grasdal with his celebration.
“Obviously, he meant the world to me so, to be able to score with his parents in the stands and the people that loved him just meant the world for me.”
Siso was also named the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries player of the month for December, scoring 14 points in 9 games.
The Terriers also got 3 points in the shape of a goal and two assists from their leading scorer Gabriel Laflamme.
“It feels good, those two points we really needed, we fumbled in Steinbach, we needed back those two points, so it feels good.”
The Terriers took a 2-0 lead near the half on a goal by Parker Scherr, a seeing-eye shot from just inside the blue line. Scherr also ended up taking a slash on the ankles which briefly took him out of the game, as well as a shot in the face while sitting on the bench.
The Terriers ended a 3 game losing streak in the victory, a 5-0 shutout for Jayden Catellier. It becomes his second shutout of the season.
The Terriers victory places them, at least temporarily, back in second place in the MGEU East division.
With the win tonight, Blake Spiller has tied Don Macgillvary for second all time regular season wins in MJHL history.
