Blizzard 2 Portage 1 in Shootouts - Perfect at Showcase

Another big win. A tough win to leave the showcase with four points.

The Blizzard got into early penalty trouble with Wilson Dumais getting into the box just 11 seconds in. Lyndon Lypinski tipped in a point shot just a few minutes later on the Powerplay to give the Terriers an early 1-0 lead.

Which they would hold onto until Garick Gray tied it up with about 6:30 left in the third period off a grimy goal in front of the net.

The Blizzard had jelly legs and fought the puck throughout most of the first and into the second period. Things turned around and they controlled the play for the entire third period.

OCN had a number of chances to go ahead in the last six and a half minutes, Kirk Chief and Grant Valiquette both missed what were essentially open nets.

Nonetheless OCN would take things into the shootout where Head Coach Jim Mollard decided that OCN would shoot second.

Matt Glowa shot first for Portage but McDonald came up big with a glove save as Glowa went to the backhand.

Wilson Dumais scored low blocker side for OCN.

Zack Waldvogel almost had McDonald beat dragging the puck up to the post but couldn't get it across the line on Portage's second shot.

Thomas Ward-Cardinal scored the shootout winner by putting the puck in the same place that Dumais did.

Here is tonight's scoring summary:

1st Period

PTG 2:19 (PP) - L.Lypinski (4) Assists: Waldvogel, Kuczek

2nd Period

NONE

3rd Period

OCN 13:21 - Gray (2) Assists: Valiquette, Grove

Shots

PTG - 31
OCN - 31

Justin McDonald made 30 saves for his fourth win of the season, keeps his goals against average of 0.97 and improves his save percentage drops two points to 0.975

Pitre Tire 3 Stars:

1. Thomas Ward-Cardinal (GWG)
2. Justin McDonald (30/31 saves, 2/2 in SO)
3. Garick Gray (1G)

Northern Building Supply Hardest Working Player:

Wilson Dumais

The Blizzard are on the way home. A tough test against Dauphin on Tuesday followed by another weekend on the road beginning with Selkirk on Friday, followed by the Blues on Sunday and finally Portage on Sunday.

With the Blues loss to the Natives just as the OCN bus pulled away from the IcePlex OCN has a four point hold on top spot in the league.

Enjoy your thanksgiving weekend, stuff yourselves with turkey and spirits.

-Brad-