Portage splits with Briercrest, clinches final playoff spot

This past weekend the Voyageurs welcome the Briercrest Clippers into town after a long 10 hours bus ride from Caronport, Saskatchewan.

The Voyageurs were 4 points ahead and the weekend was sure to decide the fight for the final playoff position.

The game was off too a slow start through the first period with no scoring, in the second frame Portage potted the first goal off the stick of Chris Glen, that goal gave the Voyageurs a 1-0 lead heading into the third period.

The Clippers came into the third period knowing that losing the game would eliminate them from playoff contention, and their play showed they were well aware of their fate if they were un-able to score some goals.

Briercrest scored two quick goals to start the third and then finished off the Voyageurs with about 5 minutes remaining with the 3-1 goal, Leo Keefer scored late but Briercrest earned the victory 3-2.

While the Clippers earned the win, the Voyageurs earned the loss with their poor play in the final period.


On Saturday afternoon back at the Bold Center the Voyageurs came out with a better attitude knowing that they could once again clinch the final playoff and send the Clippers to play golf.

The Clippers came out as a energetic bunch, working on the momentum of their win the night before, Briercrest was able to score an odd goal in the 1st period as Voyageur defenseman Kris Steedsman was doubled over with an injury, leaving a Clipper alone in the slot.

The Voyageurs came back in the second frame with a better effort, scoring a goal of their own off the stick of Cory Giroux, but, once again Briercrest jumped a step ahead by scoring another goal to make it 2-1 Clippers heading into the final frame of the weekend.

Both teams came into the third period with a lot of motivation, the Voyageurs knowing a win would clinch the final playoff spot, the Clippers knowing that anything other than 2 points would end their season.

The Voyageurs scored four goals in the final period to take a rather suprising 5-2 win, Dustin Popowich had three points in the period including the goal to tie the game, he was named the Voyageurs athlete of the week.

The win gauranteed that Portage will face either Augustana or NAIT in the 1st round of the playoffs, Voyageurs play a home and home with NAIT this weekend.