Nick Henry celebrating his 1st of two goals on the night in game one.
Portage welcomed the Selkirk Steelers to the PCU Centre Friday night to kick off the 2016 Playoffs.
The Terriers would be the first to strike on a Wowryk goal close to the 12 minute mark of the first. Dudar would even things up for the Steelers a few minutes later and the teams would head to the dressing room tied at one.
Kain Stevenson would give the dogs back the lead just 25 seconds in to the 2nd frame, but former Terrier Ezra Hall would once again draw the Steelers even finding the back of the net on the power play at 9:07. With just a minute and 43 left in the period, assistant captain Brett Orr would beat Dola giving the Terriers the edge going in to the 3rd.
Starting the 3rd on the power play the line of Bowles, Bowles and Henry was quick to cash in. Henry burying just 32 seconds in only to follow up with his second of the night just 48 seconds later. Derlago would add one more for the Steelers on a turnover but the game would end 6-3 for the Terriers as Wowryk would pot his second of the night against his former team for good measure.
Portage leads the first round quarterfinal 1-0.
The Terriers would then head to Portage on Sunday for game 2 of the best of 7.
The first period was off to a quick and physical start. Selkirk would be the first to score on a Douglas marker at 6:07 just as the penalty to Shawn Bowles expired. Stewart’s point shot would even things up a few minutes later on a delayed penalty and Leipsic would give the Terriers the lead scoring a go ahead goal on a beautiful and patient pass from MacDonald on the 2 on 1. Dudar would tie the game at 2 scoring in back to back games for the Steelers, but Shawn Bowles would give the Terriers back the lead winning the battle in front of the net and scoring on the power play.
The second and almost 18 minutes of the 3rd would be both teams trading opportunities with nobody cashing in. Chase Brakel would add the insurance goal for the Terriers on a tic tac toe play with Leipsic and MacDonald giving the Terriers a 4-2 win and a 2-0 lead in the series.
Park would earn both wins on the weeked stopping 43 of 48 shots.
Game 3 is back in Portage on Tuesday March 15th, game time 7:30pm. Be sure to pick up your tickets early at the PCU Reception to avoid line ups.