The Blues took on the top-ranked Portage Terriers tonight, and oh boy, they were in for a challenge.
However, thanks to some next level goaltending from Jeremy Link and some quality scoring chances, the Blues were the first on the scoreboard. Rookie Ty Naaykens put away the first goal of the night with some help from Jayson Szun and Tony Apetagon. The first period ended with the Blues up 1-0 despite trailing 14-4 in shots on goal.
Then in the second, Szun had a perfect open look to put the Blues up 2-0. Szun’s goal was assisted by Naaykens and Dylan Cassie.
The Terriers weren’t far behind. They narrowed the score to 2-1 just a few minutes after the Blues’ second goal.
The Blues didn’t let Portage’s goal shake their momentum. James Maxwell sealed off the second period with a goal assisted by Szun and Apetagon, pushing the Blues to a 3-1 lead.
The Terriers scored one more time halfway through the third pull the score to 3-2, but once time began to wind down and with Portage pulling their goalie, the Blues were able to clinch this one with an empty-netter.
The Blues goaltender, Jeremy Link, stood on his head once again, putting a stop to 42 of 44 shots.
The Blues play again on Wednesday, Feb. 13 in Dauphin. That game can be streamed live on hockeytv.com. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.