DAUPHIN, MB - The Dauphin Kings and Portage Terriers meet in the MJHL Playoffs for the first time since 2020 when they kick off their best-of-seven set tonight at Stride Place.
Back in 2020 the series was never completed. Before things could be settled COVID-19 stepped in and forced the cancelation of the 2020 Playoffs. The Kings and Terriers got three games in before the season was trashed. After three games Portage was up 2-1 in the series.
In the past the Kings and Terriers have had many memorable meetings in the post season, back when the two clubs were in the then Sher-Wood Division.
This season the Kings and Terriers split their season series. Both teams won a game at home and a game on the road. Portage has home ice in this series because they edged the Kings by four points in the regular season standings. After the opening round of the post season the league resets by points and reseeds their matchups.
Opening face off this evening is slated for 7:30pm. Game two will be in Dauphin on Sunday at 7:00pm. Tickets for that tilt will go on sale tomorrow (Saturday) at 11:00am!
TICKET INFORMATION FOR THIS SERIES
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TONIGHT'S MATCH UP
For the first time since 2022 the Dauphin Kings have advanced to the second round of the MJHL Playoffs.
The road will not get any easier for the Kings as they face one of the top teams in the East Division. Portage had a solid season and at one point was in the mix for top spot in the division and the MJHL itself.
On home ice this season the Terriers went 20-8-0-1 while their road record was a solid 20-9-0-0. Like the Kings, the Terriers have not lost on home ice through three games in the playoffs. For those wondering the Kings ended the year 19-9-1-0 on home ice and 18-9-1-1 on the road.
SCHEDULE FOR PLAYOFF SERIES & TICKET OFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the Dauphin Kings Special Teams were hit and miss in their opening round of the playoffs. Their Power Play struggled at times against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, but as the series went on the team's man advantage got better. Dauphin's Penalty Kill was good for the most part in the first round. Right now the Kings Power Play is at 12.5% while their Penalty Kill is at 82.4%.
Portage's Special Teams have been a lot like Dauphin's through the opening round of the playoffs. Their Power Play struggled against the Steinbach Pistons and enters this series at 12%. Portage had 25 man advantages in the first round, Dauphin had 16. On the Penalty Kill side the Terriers did not allow a goal, going 100%, 24 for 24. That's the "official" numbers. However it has been noted that Steinbach did score a goal on the man advantage in their opening series with the Terriers, it just wasn't officially marked as one.
LEADING SCORERS
The Kings have played one less playoff game than the Portage Terriers coming into this evening's action. Leading the way in points for Dauphin are five players, all with five points. They are Gavin Nemis (3G, 2A), Gabrielg Bugeaud (2G, 3A), Cayden Glover (2G, 3A), Havryil Simchuk (2G, 3A) & Matthew Haun (5A). Dauphin has eight players with 4+ points.
On the other side the Terriers have four players with 4+ points. Leading the way is Cameron Bullinger, who led the team in scoring during the season, he has five assists through six games.
