The Portage Terriers go into the Christmas break riding a pair of wins over the Swan Valley Stampeders. The Terriers came out on top 5-1 Saturday night in a game that didn’t see a single penalty called.
Portage started the game with a few quality chances. A 2 on 1 rush was stopped and defenceman Tyler Dodgson hit a post. It wouldn’t take long though before Austin McLean opened the scoring. He flew up the wing and sniped a shot past Swan Valley goalie Kobe Grant. Mason Smith picked up his first assist of the season on the goal. With a penalty coming and a crowd of bodies in front of the net Dodgson lifted a shot over the pile and made it 2-0 Portage heading into the intermission.
The Stampeders cut the Terrier lead to a single goal in the second period when a clearing attempt was held in the zone and Jackson Betcher scored as he drove to the net. Portage responded late in the period when Swan Valley also failed on a clearing attempt and Kayden Sutherland scored his first of the season.
Both teams created quality chances in the third period, but it would be Portage capitalizing. Logan Calder continued his hot play when he tapped in a nice cross crease pass from Matt Wisener. With the game out of reach Brady Grasdal lobbed a pass into the neutral zone and Daniel Siso hustled up the ice to score a beautiful goal over the shoulder of Grant to make it 5-1 Portage.
Jayden Catellier stopped 29 of 30 shots for his 9th win of the season. The Terriers move into sole possession of the 4th and final playoff spot in the East and 7th overall in the league. Portage will now take a break for Christmas and play their next game Jan. 7, 2022 in Virden.
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