By Jeff D'Andrea

Mintos with huge win over pesky Trojans

Dec 2, 2014 | 8:42 PM

The Tisdale Trojans seemed like an unsolvable puzzle for the Prince Albert Mintos, and the rest of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League.

The Mintos were 0-2 and outscored 9-1 in their first two meeting against the Trojans this year, who came into Tuesday’s game with just one regulation loss in 20 games.

Well, make that two now after the Mintos’ huge 4-2 win Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre.

“We finally wanted to get that win,” said Mintos assistant captain Kody White, who’s Mintos are now 12-4-5 and in fourth place. “In the last couple we played them, we got kinda pounded.

“It felt nice to finally beat them.”

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White was a huge part of the Mintos’ big victory. Not only was his third-period goal shorthanded, but it was also the game winner which put the Mintos up 3-2 with 12:28 left in the game.

“I thought I’d wheel it up and try to kill some time on the PK,” said White. “I looked up and I only saw one defender so I’m like, ‘alright, I guess I’ll take him wide and see what happens.”

What happened was White blew by everybody in a maroon and navy jersey, cut in on Trojans goalie Kye Steinke’s net and beat him on the glove side. Not only that but it gave the Mintos a heck of a jolt on the bench.

“Kody White scoring shorthanded, it’s going to mean lots to us going into this weekend, it really lifted our bench,” said Mintos coach Todd Becker. “It gave us a lot more confidence.”

Brett Harasymuk extended the Mintos lead to 4-2 with a power play goal late in the period.

Although the Mintos doubled up the Trojans on the scoreboard, that doesn’t mean they didn’t have their moments. The Trojans owned the second period, outshooting the Mintos 18-4 and getting both of their goals in that frame from Connor Tuffs and Brody Ryberg.

Becker said if it wasn’t for Mintos goalie Derrick Hucul, it could have been a much different outcome as he calmed the second period storm. Hucul made 33 saves on 35 shots in the game and was named the Mintos’ first star.

The Trojans felt their second regulation loss had a lot more to it than Hucul’s performance.

“(The Mintos) came out and worked hard and they wanted it more than our club,” said Trojans head coach Darrell Mann. “We took a lot of undisciplined penalties and they scored on their power play. It’s a tough rink for us to come into, they’re usually up to play us.

“Once again, they definitely were.”

The Trojans took a blow on Monday as the Melville Millionaires picked up their star forward Tyler Kreklewich, who led the SMAAAHL with 40 points in 20 games before moving up to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

“That definitely hurts us a bit, but we have lots of guys that can score goals and basically, it’s going to have to be by committee,” said Mann.

Harasymuk and Erik Gardiner had a goal and an assist each for the Mintos. Reed Gunville opened the scoring for the Mintos in the first.

Looking ahead

The Mintos are off to Wilcox this weekend to play both Notre Dame teams, the Argos on Saturday and the Hounds on Sunday.

The Mintos will return home on Dec. 11 to face the Saskatoon Blazers at 7 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea