VOYAGEURS GRAB IMPORTANT POINT IN PAIR OF TOUGH MATCHES VERSUS SAIT

VOYAGEURS GRAB IMPORTANT POINT IN PAIR OF TOUGH MATCHES VERSUS SAIT
October 27, 2025

LAC LA BICHE – In sports, seconds count – second periods, especially. The Portage College Voyageurs found that out the hard way this past weekend. In an otherwise impressive showing against perennial contender SAIT October 24 and 25 at the Bold Centre, a pair of bad second periods proved costly, resulting in 4-2 and 5-4 overtime losses for the home squad.

 

On Friday night, the Voyageurs kept up with the physical, big-bodied Trojans in a feisty and entertaining game, killing off several penalties and even potting a shorthanded marker. However, an 0-for on the powerplay and a slow middle frame, in which they were outshot 20-9, proved to be their downfall. After Brenan Rosychuk tallied early in the second to give the Voyageurs a 2-1 lead, the Trojans took over, peppering Portage Player of the Game Tresor Wotton with several glorious scoring opportunities. If not for Wotton, the score could've been much worse than a 3-2 deficit after 40 minutes. Despite a stronger third period, the Voyageurs were unable to beat SAIT goalie Andrew MacLean and Zach Cain sealed the deal with an empty netter with under a minute remaining.

 

"We played pretty well," said Head Coach Kevin McClelland after the contest. "We've got to work on our powerplay but our penalty killing was really good."

 

The powerplay was much better in the Saturday afternoon rematch, going three for six, but again, a one-sided second period proved costly. Up 2-0 after a solid first period on goals by Aidan Taylor and Jonah Smith, the Voyageurs were outshot 24-1 in the second, relying on goalie Jackson Miller to keep the Trojans off the score sheet. They almost escaped unscathed, but the Trojans scored three in three minutes to head to the dressing room with a 3-2 lead.

 

To their credit, the Voyageurs came out with a determined effort in the third after a pep talk from Assistant Coach Pierre Sparklingeyes, scoring twice in the first nine minutes to take a 4-3 lead, before giving up the equalizer at the 11:14 mark. Thanks to solid defensive play and a good relief effort from goaltender Ethan Barron, who relieved an injured Miller after the second period, the Voyageurs managed to take the game to overtime, before Zach Cain ended the suspense with the winning goal a little less than four minutes into the extra frame.

 

"The big thing, the positive thing is that what we didn't do (Friday) night we did today: we battled back after being down," said McClelland. "So that's a positive we're gonna take out of it."

 

Indeed, there were lots of positives from the weekend, including stellar goaltending, effective special teams, and strong physical play. McClelland was pleased to see how well his troops stacked up against the bigger Trojans squad.

 

"I thought it was a good weekend…We played with SAIT, which looks like a good hockey club, man," he said. "They're good, they're big and strong, and they can skate, but we stayed with them."

 

Wotton, who watched from the stands on Saturday after a busy Friday game, took lots of positives from the weekend as well.

 

"It felt pretty good," he said about being in the net on Friday night. "Our D did pretty good at blocking shots and clearing out the traffic. SAIT's got some big bodies on the ice there so it was really good to have guys battling for me as well. It made the game a little bit easier."

 

With an important point for the overtime loss, the Voyageurs sport a record of 2-2, for seven points. Heading into a bye week, having played four highly competitive and entertaining hockey games, the head coach knows he has lots to build on.

 

"The points always add up, that's for sure," he said. "You know, we're ahead of where we were last year and we've just gotta keep going."

 

Wotton, who made 43 saves in the Friday night loss, is certainly on board with the sentiment.

 

"I'm  really feeling like I'm comfortable and confident with my play and where I'm at and just know that I can build and get better each day," he said.

 

Players of the Game

 

Friday, Oct. 24:

 

Saturday, Oct. 25: