Photos from Portage Terriers RBC Cup victory

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By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

A remarkable season for the Portage Terriers has concluded with a historic win at the RBC Cup National Junior ‘A’ hockey championship, as they defeated the Carleton Place Canadians 5-2 on Sunday, May 17.

The victory, before a capacity crowd at the PCU Centre in Portage la Prairie, snapped a 41-year national championship drought for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. 

The 2015 edition of the Terriers are also only the third MJHL team to ever be crowned national Junior A champions. The other clubs to achieve that feat were the 1973 Portage Terriers and 1974 Selkirk Steelers. 

It was the first time in 10 years that a host team has captured the RBC Cup; the last being the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL. This was the fourth RBC Cup appearance for the Portage Terriers, who previously played on the national stage in 2005, 2011 and 2012. 

In the final, the Terriers received scoring support from Grant Valiquette, Davis Ross, Jordyn Boyd, as well as Brad and Shawn Bowles. Alex Robinson and Maxim St. Pierre were the goal scorers for the Canadians. Portage goaltender Zac Robidoux, who was named the player of the game, made 26 saves for the win. Guillaume Therien meanwhile stopped 22 of 26 shots for Carleton Place.

After the game, Terriers captain Tanner Jago said it felt great to achieve what’s been the players’ ultimate goal for over a year. “We have just worked so hard all year for this day. This is just a dream come true,” Jago. 

“At the start of this year, this was our goal and now that we’ve actually done it, it’s just an amazing feeling. It’s a special moment for all of us.”

Terriers forward Brad Bowles added the historic significance of the victory was very gratifying.

“This is the biggest trophy in junior hockey and no matter what happens now, our names are a part of history,” said Bowles.

Terriers general manager and head coach Blake Spiller said that he feels happy for the players because he and assistant coach Paul Harland have seen first hand, just how much time and hard work they’ve put in all year in order to achieve this goal.

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