The Portage Terriers picked up their second win of the MJHL Showcase and third in a row on Wednesday morning when they beat the Neepawa Natives 3-2 at Stride Place. Portage erased a two goal deficit to pull out the victory.
The 10:30 am start may have played a factor for the Terriers who started slow out of the gate. Portage went to the power play early but it would be the Titans who struck first shorthanded. Dallon Wilton picked up the puck in his own end, raced up the ice and beat Terrier goaltender Chris Fines low glove side. Neepawa continued to pour on the pressure in the first period and eventually went up 2-0 on a quick goal off a faceoff.
Portage seemed to settle into a rhythm in the second period and get more pressure. Logan Calder got his team on the board midway through the frame. He took the puck over the line on a 3 on 2 rush and snapped it home low glove side. Calder now has points in 12 straight games.
The Terriers tied the game early in the third period. Brady Grasdal had his point shot stopped but Austin McLean jammed home the rebound. Late in the frame Fines made a scrambling save to keep his team in the game but appeared to go down in some discomfort. After stretching it out he remained in the game and lead his team to victory.
In overtime the newest Terrier Mason Smith played the hero. After a chance in the Portage end Smith chipped the puck up the ice and used his exceptional speed to pull away from the Titans defender. Smith then quickly fired a shot blocker side.
The Terriers finished the night 1/4 on the power play and are now 4 points back of Selkirk for 4th in the East. Portage now has a pair of games this weekend against the Dauphin Kings starting Friday Nov. 26, at Stride Place.
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