The Portage Terriers picked up an exciting Louis Riel Day win over the Winnipeg Blues 3-2 in overtime. Portage has now won five straight games and have moved into the final playoff spot in the East.
The game was tight to start with neither team having the edge. Portage outshot Winnipeg in the first period 7-6.
The play started to open up in the second period. Brandon McCartney’s point shot found the back of the net halfway through after bouncing off a few players on the way. With one second left on the clock Josiah Vanderhooft tied the game going into the intermission.
The Blues took their first lead of the night midway through the third period. With the clock winding down, Brendan Holba out worked a Blues player in front of the net and beat Dawson Green to tie the game at two.
In overtime the Winnipeg Blues started off with the bulk of the chances. Terrier goalie Jayden Catellier, who was celebrating his 19th birthday, had to make a few key saves early. With less than a minute to go Tyler Dodgson found some room up the ice and beat Green blocker side.
“I saw a lane and chipped it past. I saw a shooting lane and I took it and scored,” explains Dodgson.
“I think it could have gone either way. Both teams played great today but we battled a little bit harder and came away with a big ‘W.’”
Special teams weren’t much of a factor on the night with only four total penalties being called and neither team scoring with the man advantage.
Eleven games remain on the Terriers’ schedule with the next one in Winkler Friday night at 7:30pm.
