Portage Terriers are on the road tonight in the MJHL, visiting Neepawa.

There's a huge gap between the teams in the standings, with the Dogs in first place, at 85 points, and the Natives in 11th, with 26.

For the Terriers' Reilly Funk, that distance doesn't mean anything, heading into tonight's game.

"Neepawa's actually been playing really well lately," he says, "And they've been competing with the top teams - Steinbach, some really close games with them -- and just because they're not in the playoff picture, doesn't mean we can take them lightly. We haven't been playing our best hockey, and we've got get ready for the playoffs, so tonight's going to be a good test for us to get ready, and get some momentum going into the playoffs."

The Terriers stopped a three-game losing streak on Monday, and Funk thinks it's come at the right time.

"Because, a three-game losing streak, we haven't really played a lot with that this year," he says, "And it's good, because right before playoffs we get that kind of slump out of the way, and try to get back to the game that we can play. And if we do that, and keep that momentum going tonight, I think we'll set ourselves up pretty well for the playoffs coming up."

Funk stresses it's important for the Terriers to play their game tonight.

"I believe they're looking to play spoilers," he says, "They know we're in a battle for first place with Swan (Valley). If we come in and play our game, and work hard, we can be a good team tonight, and I think we have a good chance to win."

Game time's 7:30 at the Yellowhead Centre. The play by play's on CFRY, portageonline.com, and the PortageLive app.