Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 7/4/2009 (3602 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE -- The home crowd was hungry for a celebration and the Portage Terriers fed them a second straight Manitoba Junior Hockey League title.
Led by four points each from captain Eric Delong and Brenden Walker, the Terriers defeated the Selkirk Steelers 4-2 before an enthusiastic sellout crowd of 1,350 at Portage Centennial Arena Tuesday night.
"It's just the best!" said Terriers captain Eric Delong.
"Last year we won it on the road but to win it here is just unbelievable -- unbelievable!
Get the full story.
No credit card required. Cancel anytime.
Join free for 30 days
After that, pay as little as $0.99 per month for the best local news coverage in Manitoba.
Already a subscriber?
Log in

Already a subscriber?
Log in
Subscribers Log in below to continue reading,
not a subscriber? Create an account to start a 30 day free trial.
Log in Create your account
Your free trial has come to an end.
We hope you have enjoyed your trial! To continue reading, we recommend our Read Now Pay Later membership. Simply add a form of payment and pay only 27¢ per article.
For unlimited access to the best local, national, and international news and much more, try an All Access Digital subscription:
Thank you for supporting the journalism that our community needs!
Your free trial has come to an end.
We hope you have enjoyed your trial! To continue reading, we recommend our Read Now Pay Later membership. Simply add a form of payment and pay only 27¢ per article.
For unlimited access to the best local, national, and international news and much more, try an All Access Digital subscription:
Thank you for supporting the journalism that our community needs!
We hope you have enjoyed your free trial!
To continue reading, select a plan below:
All Access Digital
Introductory pricing*
99¢
per month
- Unlimited online reading and commenting
- Daily newspaper replica e-Edition
- News Break - our award-winning iOS app
- Exclusive perks & discounts
Continue
Read Now Pay Later
Pay
27¢
per article
- Commitment-free
- Cancel anytime
- Only pay for what you read
- Refunds available
Continue
*Introductory pricing schedule for 12 month: $0.99/month plus tax for first 3 months, $5.99/month for months 4 - 6, $10.99/month for months 7 - 9, $13.99/month for months 10 - 12. Standard All Access Digital rate of $16.99/month begins after first year.
We hope you have enjoyed your free trial!
To continue reading, select a plan below:
Read Now Pay Later
Pay
27¢
per article
- Commitment-free
- Cancel anytime
- Only pay for what you read
- Refunds available
Continue
All Access Digital
Introductory pricing*
99¢
per month
- Unlimited online reading and commenting
- Daily newspaper replica e-Edition
- News Break - our award-winning iOS app
- Exclusive perks & discounts
Continue
Mon to Sat Delivery
Pay
$34.36
per month
- Includes all benefits of All Access Digital
- 6-day delivery of our award-winning newspaper
Continue
*Introductory pricing schedule for 12 month: $0.99/month plus tax for first 3 months, $5.99/month for months 4 - 6, $10.99/month for months 7 - 9, $13.99/month for months 10 - 12. Standard All Access Digital rate of $16.99/month begins after first year.
We hope you have enjoyed your free trial!
To continue reading, select a plan below:
All Access Digital
Introductory pricing*
99¢
per month
- Unlimited online reading and commenting
- Daily newspaper replica e-Edition
- News Break - our award-winning iOS app
- Exclusive perks & discounts
Continue
Read Now Pay Later
Pay
27¢
per article
- Commitment-free
- Cancel anytime
- Only pay for what you read
- Refunds available
Continue
*Introductory pricing schedule for 12 month: $0.99/month plus tax for first 3 months, $5.99/month for months 4 - 6, $10.99/month for months 7 - 9, $13.99/month for months 10 - 12. Standard All Access Digital rate of $16.99/month begins after first year.
We hope you have enjoyed your free trial!
To continue reading, select a plan below:
Read Now Pay Later
Pay
27¢
per article
- Commitment-free
- Cancel anytime
- Only pay for what you read
- Refunds available
Continue
All Access Digital
Introductory pricing*
99¢
per month
- Unlimited online reading and commenting
- Daily newspaper replica e-Edition
- News Break - our award-winning iOS app
- Exclusive perks & discounts
Continue
*Introductory pricing schedule for 12 month: $0.99/month plus tax for first 3 months, $5.99/month for months 4 - 6, $10.99/month for months 7 - 9, $13.99/month for months 10 - 12. Standard All Access Digital rate of $16.99/month begins after first year.
Your free trial has come to an end.
We hope you have enjoyed your trial! To continue reading, we recommend our Read Now Pay Later membership. Simply add a form of payment and pay only 27¢ per article.
For unlimited access to the best local, national, and international news and much more, try an All Access Digital subscription:
Thank you for supporting the journalism that our community needs!
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 7/4/2009 (3602 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE — The home crowd was hungry for a celebration and the Portage Terriers fed them a second straight Manitoba Junior Hockey League title.
Led by four points each from captain Eric Delong and Brenden Walker, the Terriers defeated the Selkirk Steelers 4-2 before an enthusiastic sellout crowd of 1,350 at Portage Centennial Arena Tuesday night.
"It's just the best!" said Terriers captain Eric Delong.
"Last year we won it on the road but to win it here is just unbelievable — unbelievable!
Delong said the key to winning the best-of-seven series 4-1 was relentless checking.
"They had a really strong goaltender so we just wanted to do what we do best, just get on the forecheck, get pucks to the net and try to outwork them and I thought we did that," he said.
The Terriers now advance to the ANAVET Cup interprovincial championship series against the Saskatchewan champion Humboldt Broncos, who clinched the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League title by beating the Melville Millionaires 5-1 Tuesday night.
"After we got swept by (Saskatchewan) last year, that's something we thought about a lot all through the off-season and all along this year and we're just excited to have the opportunity to get some revenge there," Delong said.
The Steelers tried everything — they wore their special retro third jerseys and Steelers coach Keith Cassidy broke up his big line, save for on the power play, of Adam Pleskach, Russ Payne and Blair Hawes until late in the third period.
"It huge to be the first team from Portage to get back-to-backs (titles)," said Portage head coach Blake Spiller. "We played a real good club here in Selkirk and they beat what was considered the favourites in the league (Winnipeg Saints) so you've got to tip your hat to them."
Delong, who assisted on his team's first three goals, slammed the door on the Steelers early in the third period when a pass out in front from Walker found Delong alone and his one-timer beat Steelers goalie Alan Armour.
Taylor Dickin and Wes Pawluk had goals for the Steelers.
Tyler Moore, Drew Ellement and Riley Nixdorf, with the winner, also scored for Portage.
Terriers netminder Bryan Mountain was named the top goaltender of the playoffs.
The ANAVET champion earns a berth in the 2009 Royal Bank Cup national junior A championship May 2-10 in Victoria.
ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca
You can comment on most stories on The Winnipeg Free Press website. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or digital subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to The Winnipeg Free Press print or digital subscribers only. why?
Log in SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to The Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective January 2015.