By Brent Bosker

Heartbreak for Mintos

Apr 3, 2011 | 5:18 PM

There will be no Telus Cup in 2011 for the Prince Albert Mintos. Despite a valiant effort, the P.A. boys were defeated 4-1 by the Winnipeg Thrashers in the Western Regional Midget AAA final in Moose Jaw Sunday.

“We gave it everything we had, we just came up a little short,” said Mintos head coach Tim Leonard after the game.

“It's going to hurt for a while, but … lets be proud of what we've accomplished it's not an easy feat getting here. It's a fantastic group of kids in there and I'm extremely proud of them,” said a teary eyed Leonard.

The loss is especially difficult on the 17 year olds, Leonard said.

“Some of those leaders in that room are taking it extremely hard.”

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The anguish was hard to miss on the face of third year forward and assistant captain Tyson Dallman, who finished with four assists in the tournament.

It doesn't feel good, said Dallman

“To come this far and lose especially with this group of guys. I made 19 best friends … and it's not going to be fun to see them pack up.”

Jeremy Margeson opened the scoring at 5:13 of the first period to give P.A. a 1-0 lead. The Thrashers would tie the game three minutes later. Morgan Winchar, who led the Thrashers in scoring during the regular season, netted his first of the tournament.

Winnipeg would add to their lead at 12:59 of the period on the power play. Sean Collins took a shot from the point that found its way through a maze of players and past Mintos goaltender Taran Kozun, who made 19 saves in the loss.

The Thrashers would make it 3-1 at 12:35 of the second. Kozun was unable to control a bad bounce off the end boards and the puck squirted in front for Rory Court who wristed one past Kozun.

The Mintos threw everything at the Thrashers in the third, but could not get another puck past Teagan Sacher who was brilliant all game. Sacher blocked 27 shots, including 13 in the third to preserve the win.

Regan Stire would ice the game away with an empty net goal with 22 seconds remaining.

The final was a tight checking affair, a vast contrast from the wide open, fast paced, run and gun type game the two teams played on Thursday.

They made it tough on us all game getting into their zone, said Dallman.

“They had five guys wide and it was tough to get anything going other than dumping it in and banging bodies.”

“Today's more game was more representative of how our team played throughout the season,” said Thrashers head coach, Dan Eliasson.

“I'm feeling a lot of pride for these guys. They've worked hard all year.”

The Winnipeg Thrashers head to the Telus Cup in St John's Newfoundland for the first time since 2008 when they lost in the final.

The Mintos finish the season with a Saskatchewan Midget AAA title, their third in six years.

bbosker@panow.com

Read previous stories from Western Regionals:

Mintos hammer the Kings to earn berth in Telus Regional final

Cheering the Mintos to another win

Mintos still alive at Telus Regionals with win over Moose Jaw

Mintos down, but not out

Mintos set for another run at Telus Cup