The Portage Terries bested the Steinbach Pistons 2-1 Friday evening at the TG Smith Centre.
The Pistons drew first blood as they opened the scoring on the powerplay just over a minute into the first period. Spencer Penner passed the Puck to Ian Amsbaugh at the left faceoff dot who put it over the shoulder of Jayden Catellier to make it 1-0.
Portage tied the game up 1-1 with a powerplay goal of their own at the 6:26 mark. Ryan Botterill scored from the left faceoff dot, going short side on Cole Plowman.
The game was tied 1-1 going into the first intermission with the shot totals 14-11 for the Portage Terriers.
Midway through the second period Terriers forward Brandon Funk was assessed a double minor for cross checking and roughing but the Pistons could not capitalize on the man advantage.
The Pistons started generating some grade A scoring chances in the second period but could not solve Catellier as he made some highlight reel saves.
The Portage Terriers broke the tie, making it 2-1, in the dying seconds of the second period. Dawson Milliken found Davis Fry behind the Terriers defence on a breakaway, but he was stopped by the left pad of Catellier. The Terriers quickly turned it around and it resulted in a two on one for the Terriers with Austin Peters squeaking the puck through Cole Plowman and trickled overed the goal line.
Both teams battled hard in the third period as the Terriers tried to extend their lead and the Pistons tried to even the score. Plowman and Catellier both looked really good, shutting down all offence and turning away every shot that came their way.
Steinbach could not find the equalizing goal, and the Terriers walked away with a 2-1 victory. Catellier stopped 38/39 and Plowman stopped 26/28.