The OCN Blizzard lost to the Portage Terriers last night in a shootout, dropping a key point against the team that was right above them in MJHL standings.

Portage got the ball rolling early, as Jeremey Leipsic potted his 27th of the season to give the Terriers a 1-0 edge. Nick Doyle would add one ten minutes later, and Portage would take a 2-0 lead into the break.

The second period saw no scoring, but OCN would storm back in the third. Former Norman Northstar Tony Apetagon scored five minutes into the final frame, before Riley Bruce tied things up half way through, forcing overtime.

The extra frame solved nothing, so the two teams went to the shootout. Leipsic was the only skater able to score, giving the Terriers the extra point. The Former Winnipeg Wild standout is an alternate captain with Portage this season, and currently has 76 points (27G, 49A) in 56 games.

With the Win, the Terriers have jumped over the Oil Capitals to take second place in the league. The OCN Blizzard continue to sit fourth, two points up on the Winkler Flyers with two games in hand.

Seven of the eight playoff spots in the MJHL have been clinched, with number eight still up for grabs. The spot is currently held by the Swan Valley Stampeders, who sit five points ahead of the Neepawa Natives with three games in hand.

Photo courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press