The MJHL Playoffs started across the league last night. Finishing on top in the regular season, the Terriers faced off against the 8th place Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
The first twenty minutes decided the game to the delight of a good sized crowd at Stride Place.
Chase Brakel opened the scoring, the recipient of a perfect 2 on 1 pass from Jared Roy, he was able to put it past Labelle.
The Terriers took a 2-0 lead before the halfway point of the first. Orca Wiesblatt back in the line up for the first time since his call up to the WHL, banged home the puck from in front of the net.
Wayway had a brief reprieve cutting the Terrier lead in half, Ryley Cardinal throwing a puck on net and it went in off defenceman Morgan Poirier.
After scoring just 4 goals in the regular season, defenceman Sam Huston buried 2 powerplay markers to take a 3 goal lead on the visiting Wolverines. Both shots from the left side wall.
The Wolverines settled in to the 2nd period after a shaky first and had 3 great opportunities to get back in the game, but just didn`t capitalize.
With seconds to go in the frame, Funk was cross checked behind the play on his way to the bench and tempers flared. Murray, McPhee and Taylor getting involved. It was an omen of things to come in the 3rd.
The third started with a boarding call to Wayway’s Phillips. Both teams increased their physical game and 32 penalty minutes were the result, some minor roughing, a blow to the head and a butt end.
The Terriers picked up game one, Peterson earning the win in net. Portage is on the road to Wayway tomorrow for Game 2 with a 7:30pm start.