Story by Jared Thiessen (Portageonline.com)
The Portage Terriers opened their preseason with the annual all rookie game on Tuesday night.
The first goal is often a sign of how the game will go. However, that was not the case in the Terriers’ first preseason game of the year.
Jack Perrier scored the game’s opening goal on a nice pass from Tristan Gravenor. The pass came through the slot and he tapped home a goal through the legs of the Virden netminder.
Virden would then score five unanswered goals, which included a pair of goals from Campbell Epp. It was 2-1 after the first period.
The three remaining goals in the unanswered streak were all scored within the first four minutes of the second period. Portage broke the streak with a goal from Carter Bilous, assisted by Gravenor and Ethan Bray.
Birthday-boy Maddox Shindle, from Portage, added a goal for the Oil Capitals and the team added two more to end the second period. 8-2 Virden after two.
The Terriers would add a pair in the third to make the final tally more respectable, from the sticks of Reyd Langan and Tristan Gravenor, who scored on the powerplay.
The lineup for the game tonight was nearly exclusively without MJHL experience, but several players gave positive performances, which could see them get more games before the preseason is over.
The Terriers next game will be Wednesday, September 11 at 7 p.m. in Neepawa at the Yellowhead Centre.
