A slow second period didn't stop the Portage Terriers from getting two points last night. They won 4-3 in overtime over Swan Valley in a Manitoba Junior Hockey League game at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie.
"We weren't really winning many battles and didn't seem to be competing. Really, no one was playing very well in the second," admits Paul Harland, Terriers assistant coach. "It was a nice crowd here and we wanted to make sure we gave a good effort in the third period to get ourselves back in the game. We started getting pucks to the net and playing harder. We got some shots, banged a few in to get it to overtime, then capitalized on a powerplay to get the win."
Portage didn't waste any time putting their opponents down 1-0. Lane Toder scored on the powerplay with a shot from the point that beat Stampeders' goalie Brett Evans under his pad. Cody Thompson and James McIsaac drew the assists. Swan Valley pushed back halfway through the period with a powerplay of their own but Terrier netminder Brock Aiken stood tall to hold their 1-0 lead into the second period. Portage was outshot 12-10 after the first but they had possession in the offensive zone for most of the frame.
The Stampeders' desperation showed right from the start of the second. They scored 30 seconds into the period to tie it at one. Connor Navrot beat Aiken over his glove on the short side. Jack LeBlanc made it 2-1 Swan Valley just a minute later. He found a loose puck in the slot and beat a screened Aiken on the blocker side. Portage started to look a little better halfway through the period but still weren't as quick as they were in the first. Some good puck possession led to a Terrier powerplay late in the period but the Dogs had trouble setting up and only managed one shot. The Stampeders came right back after killing it off to make it 3-1. Keaton Jameson buried it glove side on a two-on-one with Navrot. Tanner Koroscil started the play from his blue line. Portage finished the period with six shots on net in a disappointing second period.
Portage seemed to have a little more drive to start the third and it paid off five minutes in. James McIsaac roofed one over Evans after Chase Brakel stole a rebound, circled the net, and found him at the back door. Ty Barnstable tied the game with eight minutes to go. He and Ty Enns went in two-on-two, Enns held back while Barnstable rushed the net. He then deflected a shot-pass from Enns over a stretched out Evans.
"We've been working a lot on two-on-two plays at practice, we saw them open up and did what we usually do," says Barnstable. "We were lucky enough to get it in to tie it. It was a big two points, even though we kind of know where we're going to end up in the standings, it helps create momentum for the playoffs. It's all about creating good habits, and we picked it up in the third, but we need to have a full 60-minute effort."
Portage was pressing late in the game and the Stampeders took another penalty with 41 seconds to play. They couldn't score in the remaining time so Portage started overtime four-on-three.
Portage controlled the extra period from start to finish, which didn't take long. Swan Valley took another penalty early in and the Dogs would be granted another four-on-three. Mackenzie Dwyer scored the game-winner at 1:33 of overtime on the powerplay. He let a one-timer go from the point that beat Evans top corner.
"I really wasn't thinking much when I let the shot go," laughs Dwyer. "Water bottle popped up and it was just nice to get the win. All the guys celebrating after the goal is definitely a good moment."
There were 1,208 fans at last night's game, one the largest attendances for the Terriers this season. The Terriers are back on the ice Friday when they visit Steinbach.
Fri, Apr 19, 2:00 PM
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