The Portage Terriers opened their preseason with the annual rookie game against the Virden Oil Capitals on Tuesday night at Stride Place.
Max Richard opened the scoring with a nifty rebound goal after Jax Huberdeau dragged the puck around a defender to the net. 1-0 Dogs after 20 minutes. The second frame was a deadlock, with neither team able to add to the scoring total. Midway through the period, as is tradition, both teams changed goalies. Terrier netminder Carter Sigurdson stopped all 13 shots he faced. Haize Brightnose came into the game in relief, and finished the night 17/19.
The Oil Capitals notched a pair of goals in the third to take their only lead of the game. Despite a late push, the Terriers were unable to find an equalizer, falling 2-1 to Virden. The two teams will do it all over again tomorrow night, as Portage travels to Tundra Oil & Gas Place for a 7:30 p.m. start.
