It was The Terriers’ offence that went to work early friday night in Portage’s season opener at the Bell MTS Iceplex.
Veteran forward Scott Mickoski scored the first of the year burying a behind the net dish from Ty Barnstable. Jay Buchholz added a marker of his own finding the back of the net just over 5 minutes later.
Midway through the first, the game took a physical turn when Wiestblatt and Hillis went toe to toe each getting 5 for fighting and a game misconduct.
Barnstable found mesh with a shot from the side of the net for his second point of the night and a 3-0 Terrier lead after 20 minutes. Portage outshooting the home team 13-7.
Both teams traded opportunities in the 2nd, but it would be Portage striking again with a goal by Gisti that would end the night for Link in net.
McPhee and Howard both scored in the dying minutes of the 2nd giving the Terriers a 6 goal lead.
Portage continued the onslaught in the third when Buchholz picked up his 2nd of the game on the powerplay. Shindle took advantage of an open net finding Branby out of position for his first as a Terrier. Winnipeg’s Behun scored their lone goal of the game to not much fanfare ending shut out hopes for rookie netminder Nathan Moore.
Tyler Van Deynze added one more for good measure and a 9-1 Terrier final. Nathan Moore made 33 saves on the outing for his 1st win.
Next up is a rematch on sunday for Portage’s home opener. Game time 6:30pm at Stride Place. Tim Horton’s is the game sponsor, please come early and take advantage of the coffee truck at the North entrance.