It was all dogs for the first forty minutes, dominating the Stampers and leading 2-0, but after letting up in the third, the Stamps were right back in it.
Despite a scoreless first, Portage controlled most of the play and outshot the visiting Stampeders 16-5.
Early in the second Mickoski opened the scoring from the slot on a pass from Calder for his 4th of the post season.
Buchholz made it a 2 goal spread the recipient of an Orca Wiesblatt dish in front to beat Pipes.
Portage took their foot off the gas in the third just long enough for the Stampeders to tie things up. Uryga and Hirst each with a goal by the 7:57 mark.
With a tied game and Swan with the momentum, Lane Kirk dropped Reilly Funk with a butt end and picked up a 4 minute penalty.
Mickoski scored the game winner with his 2nd of the game on the powerplay, Murray and Funk with helpers.
The Stampeders called a time out and pulled their goalie with 1:08 on the clock, but Portage hung on for a 3-2 final.
Peterson backed 16 shots for the win and Portage takes a 2-1 lead in the series.
Game 4 is this Saturday in Swan River, game time 7:30pm.