The MJHL champion Portage Terriers defeated the SJHL champion Melfort Mustages 3-2 in double-overtime at Affinity Place on Saturday afternoon to earn a berth in the second RBC Cup qualifying game.
Terriers forward Nick Henry deflected a Brad Bowles point shot top corner blocker side on Mustangs goalie Richard Palmer at the nine-minute mark of the second overtime period to get the win. Palmer was outstanding when called upon in the game and had no chance on the deflection from in close. While the second overtime was close checking with neither team able to generate much, the Mustangs controlled the play in the first extra frame, but could not beat Terriers goaltender Nathan Park who made 35 saves in the game.
Mustangs forward Miles Warkentine got his team on the board 16:03 into the first period , only to have Bowles tie up the score 51 seconds later. Justin Boyer put Melfort up 2-1 five minutes into the second, but a strong push back by Portage in the third resulting in a Chase Brakel goal at the 6:06 mark brought the game to sudden death.
