Story Courtesy Jared Thiessen (Portageonline.com)
It’s hard to win without hitting the scoreboard. The Portage Terriers allowed just one goal that had the goaltender in the net, and an inability to answer it back was their undoing as they fell 2-0 to the Dauphin Kings.
The Dogs were outshot badly in the first period, and never really registered much in the way of offence. Their one powerplay saw them spend more time retrieving the puck than setting up as a unit. The team was also uncharacteristically careless with the puck, turning it over multiple times inside their own zone, resulting in good chances for Dauphin. Dauphin’s lone goal was scored on the powerplay, as a shot from behind the goal line ended up in the back of the net. Portage escaped the first frame lucky to not be down worse than 1-0.
The Terriers would change their fortunes slightly in the second period, putting 12 shots on net, while only allowing 6. The teams would both go without a goal, as it would remain 1-0 in Dauphin’s favour.
The third period appeared to be a change of fortunes when Portage found a couple opportunities on the doorstep. Late in the game, on the powerplay, and with their net empty, the Terriers got a shot on goal, and after bouncing around in front of the goal, it was batted away by a high stick. The ensuing faceoff, Blake Spiller opted to pull Jayden Catellier, hoping the 6-on-4 advantage would help them bang one home. Unfortunately, it did not, and Ashton Paul would sneak away with the puck after the penalty expired and send one into the open net.
This was the first time the Terriers have been shut out this season. Parker Scherr speaks about the loss.
“At the end of the day, we had our chances, but their goalie played very well, and we couldn’t capitalize. It’s the first time in a long time we’ve been shut out, so, when next game comes around, and we just bear down in front of the net, in the slot, and we put away our chances, it’s a completely different game.”
The Terriers are off from game action until next weekend, when they travel North to take on the OCN Blizzard. That game will kick off at 7:30, with the broadcast being carried on CFRY.