The Neepawa Natives jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the first period on Tuesday night in Neepawa, but when all was said and done, the rival Portage Terriers skated away with a 4-3 overtime victory.

 

"We had a lapse in the second, where we just didn't do the little things, and they took advantage by getting some pucks on net and they got a couple" said Natives' coach Bryant Perrier.

 

The overtime loss was the first overtime defeat the Neepawa team has suffered all season.

 

The final goal of the game, scored 27 seconds into the extra frame, took the extra point from The Natives and gave Portage an eight point cushion on The Natives.

 

With the win, Portage moves into a tie for second place with Swan Valley, and Neepawa closes the gap with Swan Valley to eight points.

 

Swan Valley and Portage both have a game in hand on The Natives.

 

Coach Perrier was disappointed in the result, but took comfort in the point.

 

"We came tonight to get two points and we didn't," he said. "But, we make some progress on Swan Valley and we limit the damage to one point with Portage."

 

Perrier commended his troops on their work ethic.

 

"We worked hard as usual," he said. "We have to shake it off and move on to our next task, which is trying to go into Swan to steal two points."

 

"We got stronger in the third, which is really encouraging heading into tomorrow night. We are fresh and ready."

 

The Natives and Terriers each had four wins in the season's eight game series, and will not meet again in the regular season.

 

Neepawa and Swan currently have three wins apiece in the first six games of their eight game series, with two games remaining.