Jason La Rose
The Portage Terriers are back on top of the MJHL for the first time since 2015-16, scoring their way to first place with a league-leading 277 goals in 60 games. The Terriers did most of their damage around the New Year, running off a season-high 11 wins in a row from Dec. 12 to Jan. 18, and they closed with a six-game streak to hold off Swan Valley by six points. It was scoring by committee up front; eight players recorded at least 40 points and 11 scored at least 15 goals, with Joey Moffatt (26-30—56, ninth in the MJHL) leading the way. Ethan Peterson and Nathan Moore shared the goaltending duties, finishing third and fourth, respectively, in goals-against average (2.24 and 2.38).
PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS 1) Portage Terriers vs. 8) Waywayseecappo Wolverines 2) Swan Valley Stampeders vs. 7) Dauphin Kings 3) Steinbach Pistons vs. 6) Winnipeg Blues 4) Selkirk Steelers vs. 5) Virden Oil Capitals
FINAL STANDINGS (W-L-OTL) Portage – 95 points (46-11-3) Swan Valley – 89 points (42-13-5) Steinbach – 82 points (39-17-4) Selkirk – 74 points (34-20-6) Virden – 70 points (31-21-8) Winnipeg – 69 points (31-22-7) Dauphin – 64 points (29-25-6) Waywayseecappo – 61 points (28-27-5) Winkler – 51 points (23-32-5) OCN – 38 points (18-40-2) Neepawa – 26 points (9-43-8)
LEADING SCORERS Josh Tripp (Swan Valley) – 36G 48A 84P Bradly Goethals (Swan Valley) – 34G 45A 79P Tony Apetagon (Winnipeg) – 29G 45A 74P Nate Halvorsen (Selkirk) – 34G 29A 63P Matthew Osadick (Swan Valley) – 29G 34A 63P
LEADING GOALTENDERS Matthew Radomsky (Steinbach) – 27-12-1, 2.06 GAA, .929 SV%, 6 SO Matt Lenz (Steinbach) – 12-5-3, 2.10 GAA, .930 SV%, 3 SO Ethan Peterson (Portage) – 17-4-2, 2.24 GAA, .916 SV%, 3 SO Nathan Moore (Portage) – 25-6-0, 2.38 GAA, .897 SV%, 4 SO Merek Pipes (Swan Valley) – 20-8-1, 2.45 GAA, .924 SV%, 4 SO
LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE 2018 (Steinbach Pistons – fifth place)
TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES 14 (2018, 2015 [host], 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010 [host], 2007, 2005, 2002, 1995, 1992, 1992 [host], 1974, 1973)
LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 (Portage Terriers)
TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 3 (2015, Portage Terriers; 1974, Selkirk Steelers; 1973, Portage Terriers)