By Jeff D'Andrea

Tippett huge in Mintos 4-2 win over Argos

Nov 2, 2014 | 3:35 PM

Prince Albert Mintos forward Chase Tippett used his lightning speed and his increasing confidence to pot two goals over the Notre Dame Argos in a 4-2 victory Sunday at the Art Hauser Centre.

Tippett scored the Mintos’ first two goals, slicing by Argos defenceman Cody Lightfoot for his first, and crashing the net and going to a knee to tap in a gorgeous feed from fellow Mintos rookie Riley Sawchuk.

“Tippett was our best forward on the ice today,” said Mintos assistant coach Todd Becker. “Right from the drop of the puck, he was the fastest player out there and doing great things with pucks along the walls. We’ve been working with Chase to get stronger with his decision making with the walls and use his speed to his advantage.

“He was fun to watch today, he had a great game.”

After starting the year off with an assist in his first ten games, Tippett now has three goals in his last two.

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Tippett has quite a few important influences in his hockey career—his last name gives away two of them right off the bat.

His father Brad Tippett was an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Raiders in the 1986-1987 season, before coaching the Regina Pats for four years.

His uncle Dave Tippett played two years with the Raiders in their SJHL days between 1979 and 1981, winning two Anavet Cups and a Centennial Cup. Dave is currently in his 11^th year of head coaching in the NHL, in his fifth year with the Arizona Coyotes.

“They know a lot about their hockey,” smiled Chase. “Both of them have helped me out a lot through my career.”

Both Brad and Dave coached who would be another huge influence on Chase’s career—Mike Modano. B

Chase met Modano while Dave was coaching the Dallas Stars, the two passed the puck around a little puck a little as well when Chase was a youngster.

Tippett even wears Modano’s number nine for the Mintos and said it’s a privilege to skate underneath the Modano banner, the only jersey the Raiders have ever retired since they were formed in 1971.

“Wearing the No. 9, I really wanted to wear it for Mike,” said Tippett. “He’s such a good guy to look up to—all the records he broke and he’s such a good guy off the ice.

“He gave me a text before the season and said, ‘you’ve got nothing to worry about up here, it’s a great hockey team. It’s a great city, everybody loves their hockey.’”

Summary

The Argos drew first blood with a Logan Foster trickling past Mintos goaltender Taylor Unruh. But just 34 seconds later, Tippett equalized for the Mintos.

Tippett got his second of the game in the second period, driving the net hard and deflecting in a gorgeous pass from linemate Riley Sawchuk to take a 2-1 lead.

The Argos didn’t go away easily as Kirill Klassen tied the game at 2-2, but again the Mintos answered very quickly. This time it was Kody White who took just 30 seconds to answer for the Mintos.

Reed Gunville scored with just 32.1 seconds left in the second to give the Mintos a 4-2 lead heading into the second.

Taylor Unruh made 23 saves in the win for the Mintos. Dawson Weatherhill made 33 saves in the loss for the Argos.

Looking ahead

With the victory, the Mintos improved their record to 7-3-2 on the season and have won all of their last four games.

The Mintos will head to Saskatoon to take on the Blazers Nov. 5 for their next game, before returning home Nov. 13 against the Beardy’s Blackhawks.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea