Portage celebrates the overtime win!
It took 99:51 minutes and triple overtime to decide game one of the quarterfinal match up between the 4th place Selkirk Steelers and 5th place Portage Terriers. Assistant Captain Josh Martin played hero as he jammed home the winning goal just over halfway through the 6th period for a 3-2 Terrier final.
Jake Dudar opened the scoring with a powerplay marker high blocker on Brock Aiken at 11:13 of the first. It would stand as the only goal of the frame.
Selkirk added to their lead with Halvorsen finding the back of the net at 8:12 in the second. Just 12 seconds later Josh Martin got Portage on the board with an unassisted goal cutting Selkirk’s lead in half. With a bit of momentum, the Terriers picked it up and created more chances in front. Chase Brakel made no mistake notching his first of the playoffs on a Leipsic pass in front to tie the game at 2.
With both teams trading opportunities in the 3rd, neither was able to get it done. With 3:17 left to go in the game, Ty Enns received 4 minutes for a high stick on Liam Kroeker. The Terriers were able to kill the penalty and get back to even strength in overtime.
Both Brock Aiken and Hayden Dola came up with some big saves in overtime to keep their teams playing. It took a total of 40:09 extra to decide the game. Martin found himself alone in front and slapped a Barnstable pass backhand passed Dola for his second of the night and the win.
Brock Aiken picks up the win in net for the Terriers making 45 saves on the night. Game Two of this series is Sunday March 12th at Stride Place, game time 6:30pm. Get your tickets early to avoid game day line ups.