Terriers Triumph In Neepawa

The Portage Terriers won their fifth game in a row Monday evening, upending the Neepawa Natives 5-2. Riley Bruce scored a pair of goals and now has 10 points in his last four games.

Portage jumped out to the early lead. As a Rhys Bremner roughing penalty expired, Joey Moffat fired a shot between the legs of Dawson Green who had a hard time seeing through traffic. Both teams would get some power play opportunities but would be unable to capitalize.

Penalty trouble hurt Neepawa to start the second period. On the power play Riley Bruce tipped Moffatt’s shot between the legs of Green to put Portage ahead by two. Before the Dogs could finish celebrating the goal, Bradley Marshall scored from the high slot. The Terriers responded later in the period. Sheldin Howard was left alone in front of the net and he sniped a shot off the crossbar and in to restore the two goal lead. Neepawa finished with a flurry of chances but couldn’t solve Johnston.

The third period started slowly before Portage grabbed their fourth of the night. Reece Richmond picked up his first point; his shot was tipped by Bruce. Parker Malchuk gave Neepawa life when he “toe dragged” around a Terrier defenceman and scored a pretty goal off the post and in. Kolton Shindle added the empty netter to seal the game at 5-2.

Johnston stopped 22 shots for his seventh win of the season. Portage finished the night one for four on the power play. They are back in action on Wednesday in Steinbach.

Dawson Green looks for the shot