A terrible first period for the Portage Terriers cost them the game last night as they fell 6-4 to the Selkirk Steelers. Both teams received grade A scoring chances in the first 5 minutes; Brad Bowles hit the post, and Justin Derlago was stopped on a breakaway. It would be the Steelers though that would capitalize first as Cole McCartan deflected home his first of the game just 2 minutes in. McCartan wouldn't stop there as 3 minutes later he was left alone in front of the net, and fired home a pass from Ty Kraus. Former Terrier Dexter Kuczek scored against his former team with a floater from the blue line that got past Josh Bykowski. The Terrier netminder let in 3 goals on 7 shots in under 8 minutes and he would be pulled for Nathan Park.

The Terriers responded on the power play with Shawn Bowles tipping a pass between the legs of goaltender Brett Friesen. It was the first goal he had allowed in his first 4 games this season. Selkirk responded twice before the end of the first period. McCartan would complete the hat-trick slapping home a loose puck in front of the net. Jake Dudar potted his first of the night with a nice shot going off the cross bar.

The second period was more evenly matched as the teams started to figure things out. Nick Henry finished off a play from the Bowles twins to bring Portage to within 3 goals heading into the third period. After two periods Selkirk was outshooting Portage 31-21.

The 6th Selkirk goal, which came at the start of the third period, chased Nathan Park out of the net and Josh Bykowski who started the game, went back in. Bykowski wouldn't get much action after getting back into the game as Portage outshot Selkirk in the third period 12-4. AP call up Tanner Aschenbrener would score his first as a Terrier off a point shot and Ryan Hendrix would score a few minutes later to make the game interesting, but it was too little too late as Selkirk hung on.

For the full box score CLICK HERE

The Terriers are back in action tonight at the PCU Centre in a rematch with the Selkirk Steelers. Puck drop is set for 7:30pm