Dauphin celebrates Leininger’s 2nd which proved to be the game winner.
It was not the outcome Portage was hoping for as they fell to the Dauphin Kings 3-1 on home ice last night. Former Terrier Keaton Leininger picked up the hat trick for Dauphin scoring in every period while Duncan McGovern picked up his first MJHL win with a solid outing in net.
“Their goaltender was pretty solid … I just didn’t think we played with a whole bunch of urgency,” says Terriers head coach Blake Spiller. “We made plays, had some chances, but just didn’t dig in around the net.”
The Terriers only goal came from league leading Jeremey Leipsic when he went bardown to tie the game at one came on the powerplay at 14:27 of the first. Portage had their opportunities, but were unable to capitalize.
Late in the second on the powerplay, Leininger scored his 2nd of the game beating Aiken with a wrist shot glove side. The frame ended with the Terriers down by one.
Once again the Terriers would find themselves with scoring opportunities in the 3rd, but just couldn’t find the back of the net. With over a minute left in the game Aiken would head to the bench and Leininger was able to complete the hat trick with the empty netter.
The Terriers outshot Dauphin 25-17 in the loss. Aiken made 14 saves.
The Terriers next home game is this Wednesday against OCN in a make-up game from December 7th that was cancelled due to weather. The season tickets from the December 7th game will be taken at the gate.
Terriers’ Captain named
Riley Thiessen wore the C for the first time in last night’s game. The veteran 20 year old was a part of last year’s Turnbull Cup Championship team and played in an RBC Cup with the Dauphin Kings.
“He’s been here and won a championship. He’s a solid, quiet leader that plays hard every night,” Spiller says. “We talked about a few different options, but everybody came to the same conclusion that he’s the guy for the job.”
“It’s exciting to be named captain and to know the coaches have some confidence in me to lead. We have a young dressing room with a lot of talent and we’re hoping to be there at the end.” – Thiessen