By Jeff D'Andrea

Mintos 5-game streak snapped by Beardy’s

Nov 13, 2014 | 8:34 PM

The Prince Albert Mintos couldn’t keep the good times going Thursday after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Beardy’s Blackhawks.

Heading into Thursday’s game, the Mintos were riding a five-game winning streak while outscoring their opposition 21-8. They went almost a month without knowing what a loss felt like, as their last defeat was on Oct. 19.

The Blackhawks were riding a five-game losing streak, with four regulation losses and an overtime loss heading into Thursday’s game.

Mintos assistant coach Todd Becker said his players may have been too aware of both of those facts.

“For sure, that’s part of the game. There are no guarantees in life and when you take things for granted, I think that’s part of (tonight’s loss).

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“Beardy’s played a good game. They were desperate and hungry all over the ice.”

The Blackhawks certainly were, with their bending-but-not-breaking defence, solid goaltending from Kody Kushniruk who made 33 saves and timely scoring.

Chase Daniels scored the lone goal of the first period for the Blackhawks on the power play, before Drake Teer tied the game in the second on his first Midget AAA career goal.

Riley Sawchuk gave the Mintos a 2-1 lead in the third, before Ryan Rothenburger scored less than two minutes after to tie the game. Rothenburger also scored the lone goal in the shootout to give the Blackhawks the win.

Although Becker said there were some bright spots in the Mintos’ game, especially with Teer, Chris Van Os-Shaw and Sawchuk, there needed to be more energy.

“We have to have more commitment from the players. We had too many guys wanting the guy do the work for us beside him—you can’t have that,” said Becker. “We have to be working every shift like it’s the most important shift of the game.

“That’s the message we’re trying to get through.”

Although the effort wasn’t as top notch as it needed to be on the Mintos, they were within an inch of winning the game. With about 40 seconds left in overtime, Mintos defenceman Kade Mosimann wired a shot off the crossbar, but it bounced dangerously close to the goal line, but not over it. Although the Mintos’ goal sirens started to sound, the officials waved the goal off immediately and play was allowed to continue.

“I looked at the official right away and he waved it off,” said Becker. “I’m a far ways away to tell. I looked at the ref, he had the best seat in the house so we’ll have to go with his call.”

Road trippin’

The Mintos will play their next four games on the road, starting with a two-game set against the Yorkton Maulers on Saturday and Sunday. The Mintos will then play the Saskatoon Contacts on Nov. 18 and Nov. 22 against the Tisdale Trojans.

They’ll return on Nov. 29-30 to face the Moose Jaw Generals and Regina Pat Canadians at the Art Hauser Centre.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea