Portage Central hockey team defeats Portage Northern, 3-2, in annual battle for the Canoe Trophy

By David Drew | ddrew1@mlive.com

Photo Courtesy of Rob Wetterholt | MLive.com

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Portage Central hockey team willed its way to a 3-2 win over crosstown rival Portage Northern in the 11th annual Portage Hockey Classic Monday at Wings Stadium.

The Mustangs claimed the Canoe Trophy for the ninth time in the annual game, but had to reclaim it from the Huskies, who won last year’s matchup.

P-Central had to rally for the win as the Huskies gained a 1-0 lead with 10:39 remaining in the first period. Jesse Liebert weaved his way through several Mustangs player to the front of the net and threw a backhanded shot past P-Central goalie Max Quertermus.

P-Northern could not build on its lead despite having a five-minute power play when the Mustangs’ Cam Westbrook was whistled for checking from behind with 8:43 remaining in the opening period.

The Mustangs began their rally 1:27 into the second period when Zach Kinney tapped in a rebound right in front of Portage Northern’s net. Huskies goalie Tim Fitzgerald stopped an initial shot from inside the blue line by Camp Phelps, but the netminder could not get a glove on the puck in time.

Portage Central’s Max Mones found the puck in front of the net off of a deflection and lit the lamp with a backhanded game-winning shot past Fitzgerald with 5:33 remaining in the second period.

The Mustangs sealed the win 44 seconds into the third period when Kinney took a great breakout pass from John Hayward, raced down the ice and buried the biscuit past Fitzgerald.

Portage Northern made a late push, but could not light the lamp in the final minute of the game.

Quartermus and Fitzgerald each finished with 23 saves.

The 1,785 fans in attendance made their presence known as Wings Stadium was rocking the entire game.