Selkirk Steals Win In Portage

The Portage Terriers gave up a two-goal lead last night to fall 4-3 to the visiting Selkirk Steelers at Stride Place. The best of 7 MJHL quarterfinal matchup is tied up at 1-1. The Portage Terriers opened up the scoring late in the first period with Ty Barnstable netting his first of the postseason. He walked down the left wing on a two on one and snapped it home low blocker.

The Terriers would pour on the pressure in the second frame, outshooting Selkirk 16-6. The Terriers hit multiple posts and Hayden Dola made some key saves when called upon. The Steelers would get on the board first when Nathan Halvorsen scored his second of the post-season on the power play. Two minutes into the period a point shot from Taylor Fisher bounced off the end boards and came to Halvorsen at the side of the net. He was able to flip it up and over Terrier goalie Brock Aiken. Ty Enns would regain the Terrier lead three minutes later. The puck was loose at the high slot and Enns was able to dance around 2 defenders before tucking it home on the short side.

Portage would open up their biggest lead of the game a minute later. Josh Martin cleaned up a rebound in front for his team-leading third goal of the playoffs. The Steelers would take 4 minor penalties in the second period, but despite being short-handed, they were able to capitalise. Connor Barley picked off an errant pass at centre ice, broke in on a breakaway and slipped the puck "five-hole" on Aiken.

Selkirk increased their pressure in the final frame, evening the score in the first five minutes. Former Terrier Ezra hall forced a turnover at the Terrier blue line and was able to slide it underneath Aiken. The Steelers would take their first lead of the game five minutes later with a power-play goal from Fisher. A point shot found it's way through traffic. Despite pulling the goalie with less than a minute left, the Terriers were unable to tie the game.

The Steelers finished the night 2-4 on the power play, while Portage was 0-6. Aiken made 27 saves in the loss. The Terriers are hoping the trend of the road team winning continues when they head to Selkirk for game three on Tuesday night.

For the complete box score CLICK HERE.