Story courtesy Jared Thiessen (Portageonline.com)
The Portage Terriers dominated the Niverrville Nighthawks on Monday afternoon winning 8-2 on Louis Riel Day. Four players put up multiple points, including three points from former Niverville Nighthawk Mighton Johnson.
Prior to the game, the Manitoba Metis Federation handed out sashes to three Metis Terriers; Jesiah Bennett, Slade Stanick, and Nathan Lenoski.
An offensive explosion would give the Terriers a great start to the game, as the team would score four goals in the first. Nolan Nenow, Rhett Perrin, Mighton Johnson and Matthew Biros all scored in the opening frame to give the Terriers a 4-0 lead through 17 minutes of play. However, Nathan Brown would score one for Niverville to close the period, making it 4-1 after 20 minutes.
Owen Witt would add a goal in the second, as Cam Bullinger found him streaking through the neutral zone. Witt drove around his man straight to the goal, and backhanded one past Raiden LeGall, to make it 5-1. Jesiah Bennett followed that up with one to make it 6-1, where it would stay until the end of the period.
The Terriers would allow a powerplay goal at the hands of Kaycee Coyle in the third period to make it 6-2, but never relented after that, as Mighton Johnson would score his second of the night.
He spoke to having such a big night against his former team.
“A couple big goals against my old team, it feels really good. We’re pushing for playoffs, it was a good game for us. We just want to keep going.”
Slade Stanick would tap home his 15th of the season to finish the evening’s scoring. 8-2 was the final score.
Gavin Renwick stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced, and describes what led to their success.
“I think the big thing was just staying focused throughout. Sometimes when you’re scoring that much, sometimes it’s hard to stay focused. I think we did a good job of playing close to a full 60 minutes, especially in the last couple minutes.”
The Terriers’ next game will be Friday, February 23, when the Dauphin Kings visit Stride Place at 7:30 p.m.
After the game fans joined the team on the ice for a “Skate with the Terriers” brought to you by Tim Hortons! Some of the players went to the lobby to sign autographs and give out team hockey cards.
