Now three games into the series, there is no love lost between the Battlefords North Stars and Portage Terriers, as neither side shies away from the physical play, and both can be seen often mixing it up in post-whistle scrums. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Right to the wire

Despite comeback bid, Stars fall to Terriers in Game 3

Apr 30, 2019 | 11:12 PM

The Battlefords North Stars fell 5-3 to the Portage Terriers Tuesday night at the Civic Centre in Game 3 of the Anavet Cup.

With the win, the Terriers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 tomorrow night.

Portage opened the scoring for the third straight game Tuesday, as rookie Reece Henry potted his first of the series just 1:22 into the first period.

Coming off a gorgeous play by centerman Ocean Wiesblatt, the diminutive Weisblatt danced with the puck through center-ice and into the attacking zone, held wide by the Battlefords’ defense. The youngster Henry, meanwhile, posted up in front of the goal just in time to receive the Weisblatt feed, clean on the tape for a tap-in. Not even a minute into the contest, it was 1-0 Portage.

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Unlike the first two games of the series, however, the Battlefords would not find their hole deepen any further prior to the second period, as the game remained a one-goal affair into the first intermission.

In the second period the Stars, for the third-night-straight, came out flying to zip home a quick one of their own. Owen Lamb, who tallied his first of the series just 30 seconds into the middle period of Game 2, registered his second in as many nights, pulling his team even in Game 3 just 4:43 into the second to make it 1-1.

The tie, though, would be short lived.

Coming off a performance Saturday that saw him score his first of the series with just 45 seconds to go in regulation to tie the game and force overtime, Orca Weisblatt also scored his second in two games converting just under a minute-and-a-half after Lamb tied things, to again put his team a step ahead at 2-1 Terriers.

Not done there, Portage added to their lead with an insurance marker, courtesy of Chase Brakel prior to the end of the period.

Making it a 3-1 hockey game with his first of the series, Brakel’s marker served as the forward’s first of the Anavet Cup, and first of two goals on the night.

The game remained 3-1 to the end of 40 minutes, despite the North Stars outshooting the Terriers 18-15.

Rather than show frustration, however, in the third, the Stars came out with a look of undeniable determination.

Ryan Gil scored his second of the series to get his team back to within one just 6:30 into the final frame.

A power play goal, the California Kid’s effort also served as his team’s third power play goal of the series, just three games into the Anavet Cup showdown.

Then, after another three minutes of sustained pressure in the offensive zone pushing for the tying goal, it was captain Cody Spagrud, delivering his team just what they needed.

Unleashing a booming slap shot on a one-time feed from Matthias Urbanski, Spagurd’s goal not only tied the contest, but nearly blew the roof off the Civic Centre as well, as the barn exploded with jubilation from the team’s comeback effort, as suddenly the game was locked up at three-goals apiece.

Portage did ultimately respond though, thanks to Brakel’s second of the night from Owen Murray and Ty Barnstable.

As if that wasn’t enough, with the Stars still unrelenting, and in the midst of an all-out push to tie once again, Ty Barnstable snapped home the back-breaker, on the Portage captain’s first of the series to reestablish his team’s two-goal advantage at 5-3.

Stars’ goalie Joel Grzybowski stopped 16 of the 21 shots sent his way, while Ethan Peterson made 28/31 stops for the Terriers.

Game 4 of the series goes Wednesday, May 1 at the Civic Centre. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. on NAPA North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB.

Scoring summary

First period:

1:22 POR Reece Henry (1) ASST: Ocean Weisblatt (2), Caelan McPhee (1)

Second period:

4:43 BAT Owen Lamb (2) ASST: Ryan Gil (1), MacGregor Sinclair (2)

6:07 POR Orca Weisblatt (2) ASST: Ty Barnstable (1), Owen Murray (4)

14:14 POR Chase Brakel (1) ASST: Ty Barnstable (2), Orca Wiesblatt (2)

Third period:

6:30 BAT Ryan Gil (2) ASST: Matthew Fletcher (1) (PP)

9:42 BAT Cody Spagrud (1) ASST: Matthias Urbanski (4), Brett Gammer (1)

12:07 POR Chase Brakel (2) ASST: Owen Murray (5), Ty Barnstable (3)

18:25 POR Ty Barnstable (1) ASST: Orca Wiesblatt (3)

5-3 Terriers, the Final.

–

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1