By Kyle Legouffe

Briercrest Hockey took on the Portage Voyageurs in a very calm affair at Barkman Arena. Briercrest was not able to put up any goals, as the outcome of the game was 4-0 in favour of the Voyageurs.

Coach Dalton Stoltz was not able to pick up his first ACAC win of the year. Stoltz will look to gain his first win as the Briercrest men’s hockey team has a rematch with the Voyageurs Saturday at 2pm.

The opening 20 minutes saw Briercrest come out with high intensity as they were trying to get the hometown crowd into the game early. Briercrest was able to keep up with the Voyageurs for the majority of the period. It was 13 minutes into the frame when Portage was able to ripple the mesh behind goaltender Jesse Chenard. The Voyageurs were able to add another goal to take a 2-0 lead. Briercrest was out shot 17-3 with Chenard making great saves. Portage took the only infraction in the period and it was a two-minute minor for hooking.

The middle frame was more intense as the both squads started taking the body with hard hits. There were no goals scored as Portage directed 14 shots on Chenard, and Briercrest put six shots on Voyageur goaltender Kirby Halcrow. Briercrest had most of their shots on the power play as Portage took three minor penalties. Briercrest took one minor penalty and that was to Jordaan Braun as he went off for high sticking.

The last stanza saw Briercrest come out with high intensity, as they were taking the body in a big way. Briercrest only directed four shots in the period and Branden Whitehawlk was able to bust in on a break away, but Halcrow was able to poke check the puck before Whitehawk could get a good scoring chance.  

The player of the game awards were given to Jesse Chenard for Briercrest and Kirby Halcrow for Portage.

Chenard gained the player of the game as he faced a lot of rubber and was able to make 52 saves on 56 shots. Halcrow only had 13 shots directed his way, but he was able to stop all of them to preserve the shutout.

Come out and support Briercrest men’s hockey, as they will take on the same Portage Voyageurs here at Barkman Arena with puck drop at 2:00 pm on Saturday.

This game marks the first time Luke Syrenne is in the lineup since injuring his ribs in the season opening weekend against SAIT.