The Portage Terriers struggled to find the score sheet on Tuesday night, losing 3-0 to the Niverville Nighthawks. The Terriers have now been shutout four times in their last nine games, while not being shutout at all through the first 30 games of the season.
The first period was tight checking with neither team gaining the upper hand. Momentum started to swing into the Nighthawk’s favour in the second frame as their power play received two opportunities. Ryan Velan looked sharp in net for the Terriers stopping all shots sent his way. The Terriers had a brief 5 on 3 power play, but were unable to bury their chances. Niverville outshot Portage 24-12 through two periods.
Pressure continued to build for the top team in the league in the third period when eventually the dam burst. Dawson Zeller put home a rebound past Velan to open the scoring for the Nighthawks. Terrier forward Declan Siwicki took a penalty shortly after which the team killed off. Once it got back to 5 on 5, John Scott dashed Portage’s hopes of a comeback with his 11th goal of the season. Marlen Edwards tipped one in 36 seconds later to put it out of reach. The Terriers were outshot on the night 45-24.
Portage is back on the ice Sunday, February 1, against the Winkler Flyers. Puck drops at 6:30pm at Stride Place.
