A quick start for Portage held for 60 minutes, the game winner scored by Jay Buchholz on the powerplay just 8:09 in to the first period.
Joey Moffatt opened the scoring for the Terriers burying on a well played 2 on 1 with Lane Taylor at the 2:34 mark.
Buchholz scored his first of the night with a backdoor rebound on Wallace and a 2-0 Terrier lead.
Virden cut Portage`s lead in half before the end of the frame, Belcher sliding the puck under Peterson’s pad as he drove the net.
The second period was scoreless as Portage was 0/2 on the powerplay and shut down Virden’s one time man advantage.
The Terriers turned up their game in the third and controlled much of the play. Virden’s Wallace headed to the bench with 1:20 to go in the third for the extra attacker looking for the equalizer, but Buchholz notched his 2nd of the game hitting the empty net. Henry would add another for his 2nd of the post season and a 4-1 Terrier final.
Peterson backed 20 shots for his 4th win of the post season.
The Terriers head to Virden tomorrow for game 2, game time 7:30pm.
Game 3 is back at Stride Place Tuesday, March 26th at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at anytime at Stride Reception to avoid long line ups on game day.