Nick Henry would score the first of the tournament on this play.
Portage opened the Western Canada Cup today versus the Melfort Mustangs. It took the Terriers a few minutes to find their stride, but would open tournament scoring on a goal from Nick Henry at 5:34 of the first from the slot. Assisting was Shawn Bowles and Dean Stewart. The Terriers would be 0/1 on the powerplay in the first and 2/2 on the penalty kill.
At the 1:34 mark of the second the Mustangs would take a minor for tripping. On the ensuing powerplay Brett Orr would bury a wrister from the point on Palmer, Haiskanen and MacDonald would pick up assists.
Mayan would beat Park low glove less than a minute later from a cross crease pass to bring the Mustangs back within one. Shots on goal after forty minutes were 21-18 Portage.
The Terriers would turn it on in the third and control much of the play outshooting Melfort 10-3. The Mustangs would call a time out and pull Palmer with 34 seconds to go to try and even the score, but the Terriers would hang on for the 2-1 win.
The Terriers next game is tomorrow night at 8:00pm CST vs the host team the Estevan Bruins.
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At the start of the game Melfort Captain Tristan Frei presented Brad Bowles with a cheque for $1000 from a fundraiser the team had for Braydon Pettinger. It was a great way to start off the tournament.