GAME REPORT - MJHL PORTAGE TERRIERS VS VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS
10.18.20 - Virden Oil Capitals (4) vs Portage Terriers (3) SO
October 18 2020 - MJHL Virden Oil Capitals (4) vs Portage Terriers (3)
The Sunday night game between the Portage Terriers and Virden Oil Capitals went the distance as the Oil Capitals beat the Terriers in a four-round shootout for a final score of 4-3. Portage controlled the play in the first half of the opening period. They generated a lot of pressure and offensive zone time which led to high danger scoring chances. #10 Colby Lubachowski opened the scoring three minutes into the game on a rebound goal generated from a 3-on-1 shot by #29 Johnny Carmichael. Just four minutes later, Portage connected on the powerplay as #18 Jacob Piller collected a pass from #4 Layne Toder on the left flank and ripped a puck past Oil Capitals goaltender #31 Ryley Gross. After this goal, the Oil Capitals seemed to settle in as both teams generated a number of chances.
The Oil Capitals got some life four minutes into the second frame when #9 Roux Bazin put one in an open net following a blocked shot by the Terriers off of a faceoff. The game continued its fast pace as both teams transitioned quickly. The track meet style of play led to odd man rush chances for both teams. Just under the halfway mark of the period, #8 Kian Calder gathered a rebound at the goalmouth and stuffed one into the net to regain the two-goal lead for the Terriers.
The third period was controlled by the Oil Capitals as they fired everything at Terrier netminder #1 Chris Fines. Three minutes into the period, #22 Braeden Lewis cut the lead back down to one. They continued to pressure the Terriers and tied the game with just under seven minutes remaining in regulation. #16 Josh Belcher deflected a feed from Bazin on a 2-on-1 past Fines. Both teams generated chances for the remainder of the period, but both goalies were up for the task.
The five minute 3-on-3 overtime was controlled by Portage but mostly just by possession and not by chances. The Oil Capitals did a great job at keeping them to the outside in their defensive zone.
The shootout went four rounds with the Oil Capitals shooting first. #13 Hunter Cloutier scored on a quick snapshot five hole to give Virden the early advantage. #11 Ryan Botterill returned the favor by wristing one under Gross’s glove. #10 Jack Einarson was stopped by Fines to start the second round. #15 Ryan Hofer fired one five-hole to put the Terriers up with a chance to win. #28 Conor Geekie, however, extended the shootout by firing one on his backhand under the crossbar. Piller was stopped by Gross which brought the shootout to sudden death. #8 Dylan Halliday made a nice move to put the puck past Fines as the eventual game winner. #20 Rhys Raeside fired one wide giving the Oil Capitals the 4-3 shootout victory.
Scouting Notes
#16 Logan Calder - ‘01 Forward - Portage Terriers – Calder is quick on his feet, with good ability to accelerate out of a standstill which allows him to create space for himself to generate offense. He’s a cerebral player which allows him to be a step ahead of opponents and find teammates for chances.
#4 Layne Toder - ‘00 Defense - Portage Terriers– Toder has great foot speed and is shifty which allows him to be effective as quarterback on PP and evade pressure when breaking the puck out. It also allows him to keep a good gap and force opponents to be uncomfortable in neutral zone. He shows good poise and skill to find the open man on PP and even strength.
#21 Tyson McLean - ‘00 Forward - Portage Terriers– McLean is a smaller forward with great speed. Like the Energizer Bunny, he is all over the ice. He’s a great penalty killer with a good stick that breaks up passes.
#15 Ryan Hofer - ‘02 Forward - Portage Terriers – Hofer is a big body that loves to shoot the puck from everywhere. He has a heavy one-time shot and snap shot, and the puck always seems to find him.
#1 Chris Fines - ‘02 Goalie - Portage Terriers– Fines tracks pucks well and is poised positionally. His hands are always out ready to attack the puck, and he flashes an extremely quick glove hand.
#9 Roux Bazin - ‘03 Forward - Virden Oil Capitals – Bazin has silky hands and is shifty on his edges which makes him dangerous with the puck on his stick.