By Jeff D'Andrea

Mintos add one ‘Moar’ to the win streak

Oct 7, 2017 | 10:04 PM

The Prince Albert Mintos continue to sit on top the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League season standings after picking up their fifth win to go 5-0 on Saturday.

But it was tough against a riled up Regina Pat Canadians team, as the Mintos squeaked by with a 3-2 shootout victory at the Art Hauser Centre. 

Like he has been all season, Mintos defenceman Alex Moar had a huge impact in the game. He scored a key goal in the third period to put the Mintos up 2-1, assisted on the Mintos’ only other regulation goal, then scored the game-winning goal in the fourth round of the shootout.

He may be a D-man, but the 16-year-old Prince Albert product is tied for the team lead in goals with three, and second on the team with five points.

“I’m doing good, but it’s not me though, it’s the team,” Moar said, the 2016 fifth round selection by the Everett Silvertips. “They’re getting me the puck and making good passes.”

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On Moar’s third period marker, the Mintos were on a two-man power play. Rookie Josh Pillar cycled him the puck and Moar floated to the top of the slot, did a few circling pirouettes before rifling a bee bee past Pat C’s goaltender Nathan Moore.

“I was trying to get those forwards to move so then there’s the opening, that’s why I kept doing those spinneramas,” Moar said. “Then once I saw it, I shot. I knew where I was going.”

Against the defending SMAAAHL champions, the Pat Canadians were always going to have their moments to score. Mintos goaltender Cale Elder did his part to deny them, making 32 saves on 34 shots, and another three in shootout opportunities.

Elder has been a rock in goal for the Mintos, boasting a .930 save percentage, 1.71 goals against average and 4-0 record to start the year.

“We worked hard, the guys on our team really helped me out,” Elder said. “The shots were kept clear so I could see them all. It was good to stay focused.”

Matthew Culling had both of the Pat Canadians goals, and their lone marker in the shootout.

Dylan Scriven, a Prince Albert Raider seventh round draft choice in 2017, scored for the Mintos in the second period with a swinging backhanded shot.

Adam Herold, who was a late cut by the Raiders in the preseason, captained the Pat Canadians Saturday.

The Mintos are back in action on Oct. 14 at the Art Hauser Centre against the Saskatoon Blazers.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW