The Terriers got on the board early in the 1st, when Joey Moffat got his second of the playoffs with a assists going to Lane Taylor and Scott Mickoski. The goal was an unlucky break for the Oil Caps as the puck went in inadvertently off Brock Shwaluk. The Terriers would add another as Jay Buchholz would get his third of the playoffs with assists going to Chase Brakel and Cody Thompson at the 8:09 mark on the power play. 18-year old Josh Belcher would cut the lead in half near the end of the 1st on a valiant effort squeezing one through the legs of Terriers goaltender, Ethan Peterson, taking the teams to the 1st intermission with Portage leading 2-1.
The 2nd period was a sea saw affair at both ends of the rink, but nothing on the scoreboard to show for either team. Oil Capitals goaltender, Riley Wallace, made some quality saves continuing to give the Oil Capitals an opportunity to get back into the hockey game.
The 3rd, was much of the same, as Wallace continued to be hold the “fort” as the Oil Capitals started to get some more quality shots on Peterson. Unfortunately, The Caps couldn’t get the equalizer. Portage would score two empty net goals late to make the final score 4-1 for the Terriers.
“The pace of this series is going to be high and I think it took a portion of the first period for us to adjust. it was tight checking through out. we need to direct more pucks at the net.”Added Oil Caps Head coach and GM, Troy Leslie.
“I didn’t think we played with enough pace particularly early in the game. Our feet and decisions were too slow to compete with them early on. As the game went on I thought we were able to gather some momentum especially in the second period and we liked where we were at the end of 2. In the third we spent too much time in our own zone and as a result weren’t able to mount any kind of an attack. We feel like if we can consistently play deep in their end of the rink then we give ourselves a better chance of being successful. We will get back home and be ready for tonight.” Added Oil Caps Assisant coach, Tyson Ramsey.
Oil Caps Tid Bits: Dalton Dosch didn’t dress with a LBI and is day to day. Brock Moroz continues to back up Riley Wallace. Austin Johnston is week to week with UBI. Jesse Mistlebacher and Tristan Thompson didn’t dress. Bray Rookes, Jake Poole, and Blake Jacques are all practicing with the hockey club currently.