Courtesy of Steinbachonline.com
The Steinbach Pistons are the second best team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for the second year in a row.
Chase Brakel scored twice as Portage defeated Steinbach 5-1 Tuesday night at the PCU Centre.
Braydon MacDonald, Brandon Stanley and Adam Wowryk also found the back of the net for the Terriers who took the best-of-seven final four games to one.
Portage netminder Nathan Park made 20 saves in game five.
Pistons head coach Paul Dyck says the Terriers are the real deal.
“They’re ranked number one in the country and I think that’s a legitimate ranking,” Dyck said. “Give them credit. I’m very proud of our players. They responded in game four. We gave ourselves an opportunity in game five but we just didn’t have enough tonight.”
Tyler Anderson had Steinbach’s lone goal.
Pistons goaltender Roman Bengert faced 33 shots.
Portage enjoyed 1-0 and 3-1 leads at the period breaks.
The reigning RBC Cup champion Terriers, who swept Steinbach in four games in last years MJHL final, advance to the Western Canada Cup which begins April 30th and will be hosted by the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Estevan Bruins.