The Portage Terriers snapped their five game losing skid Tuesday night with a 5-2 win over the Selkirk Steelers.
The first period was relatively uneventful with neither team finding the scoresheet. Portage had two power play chances but were unable to capitalize.
Portage opened the scoring early in the second on the power play. The Terriers had called up defenceman Rory Neill from the St. James Canucks (MMJHL) and he made an immediate impact scoring with a point shot through traffic. Portage had a hard time staying out of the box themselves, and with Brandon McCartney and Ashton Fishley both in the box, Selkirk tied the game at one.
Brady Grasdal got his first of the season a few minutes later on the power play. His point shot bounced off the end boards, off Selkirk goalie Cole Plowman and into the net. 2-1 Portage.
The back and forth second period continued with Jordan Hughesman tying the game at two. It was the fourth power play goal in row. It didn’t take Portage long to recapture their lead. 39 seconds after the Selkirk goal Neill raced up the ice and fired a shot under the glove of Plowman for his second of the night. 3-2 Terriers.
The Terriers didn’t let off the gas in the third period. With five minutes to play Matt Wisener sprung Daniel Siso on a breakaway and he fired home a high shot to put the game out of reach. Jaden Pashe added a goal almost the length of the ice into the empty net to make it 5-2 Portage.
The Terriers finished the night 2/5 on the power play. Chris Fines stopped 34 shots for just his 4th win of the season. Portage gains two points on Selkirk in the playoff race and are now five points back. They will meet for the final time this season on Saturday at Stride Place