The Portage Terriers managed a 4-nothing shutout win last night over Dauphin in MJHL hockey at the PCU Centre.

After a sloppy scoreless first period from both teams, things started to get a little better for Portage in the second period. The Terriers took the lead 3 minutes into the second when defenseman Cody Thompson found the back of the net with a wrist shot from the point, Chase Brakel and Jeremy Leipsic earned assists on the play. The dogs' attack continued to limp through the second when Leipsic increased their lead to two. Leipsic got the puck up and under the bar with no time to spare off a Ty Enns pass from the corner, Kain Stevenson started the play with a pass down low. Both teams continued to struggle offensively throughout the second.

The Terriers seemed to find a little momentum in the 3rd period, but still, it wasn't one of their better periods. Terriers' forward Ryan Sokoloski scored a shorthanded goal to make it 3-0 on a 2-on-1 with Adam Wowryk. Leipsic would add his second of the game shortly after. Chase Brakel sprung Leipsic on a breakaway and he went five-hole making no mistake. Frustration was high for both teams and 3 fights ensued before the final buzzer.

Sokoloski's two-on-one goal from Wowryk.

"I thought it was kind of a sloppy game on both parts," said Terriers' Assistant Coach Paul Harland. He discussed his clubs' mediocre performance. "We got fortunate on a couple of plays, and we did end up making some plays later in the second and the third. But I don't think it was a great effort from us, and I'm sure Dauphin's coach would say the same thing."

Despite the Terriers poor structure they still managed the shutout win, largely in thanks to goalie Wesley Ellingsen's 30 save shutout. Portage goal scorer Ryan Sokoloski says everything seemed a bit off from the start.

"Obviously that's not what our team is about. We were just sloppy and didn't follow the coach's rules, and even at the start the powerplays were just brutal and we didn't follow structure."

Sokoloski lands a haymaker last night

The Terriers have a quick turn-around and host Waywayseecappo tonight at the PCU Centre. "Better preparation, that's really it," says Sokoloski when asked about cleaning up their game on the ice. "Not fooling around before games and just keeping a tight locker room is what I think we need to do. And just focus on our own jobs."

The Terriers and Wolverines go at 7:30 p.m.