Hobson and Gardiner both returning to Mintos; Mintos 4 SO Blackhawks 3

“I’ve been here lots of times. We plan on those guys staying [at the WHL], that’s how we go about it. If we get a phone call that they’re coming back, it’s kind of like an early Christmas which is okay with me,” said Leonard. “In saying that, they showed well there but again, they’re 16 years old.”

Gardiner scored 20 goals and 45 points in 44 games, the highest total among true, 15-year-old rookies last season. Hobson had 11 goals and 26 points in 43 games, second among SMAAAHL rookie defencemen and sixth overall.

Now that they’ve returned to the Mintos, they are going to see a whole pile of ice-time to help them develop and stick with their WHL squads next season.

“Now they’re going to get a chance to come back here and develop that leadership quality that’s missing in their game,” said Leonard. “They’ll play a lot, they’re going to be in every penalty kill, power play, late in the game, winning, losing—every situation to prepare them for next year. That’s our job.

Hobson struck offensively in the most opportune time as he tied the game at 3-3 with exactly a minute left in third period and the Mintos’ goaltender Jake Davidson pulled for the extra attacker.

“It was a good game, we played good. I just saw the loose puck and jumped at it,” said Hobson. “[Portland] was a good experience, but I’m just happy to be back and happy to get things going here.”

Scoring summary

Mintos returner Keegan Tiringer put the Mintos up, but was quickly answered by the Blackhawks’ sniper Justin Bill. Bill found a small sliver of room over the blocker of Mintos goaltender Jake Davidson to tie the game heading into the first intermission.

Bill would then set up Josh Sielsky’s goal to put the Blackhawks up 2-1. Cody Chasse would tie it up for the Mintos heading into the third.

The Blackhawks took a 3-2 lead midway through the third as Shae Kiryk finished off a nice 2-on-1 rush.

Mintos returnee Jake Hobson scored with exactly a minute left, with the Mintos’ goaltender pulled, to tie the game in dramatic fashion.

Mintos Brandt Bertoia was the only player to score in the four-round shootout, beating Blackhawks goaltender Kody Kushniruk cleanly with a backhanded deke.

Mintos goalie Jake Davidson made 29 saves in regulation for the win, and stopped all four attempts in the shootout.

With the victory, the Mintos evened their preseason record to 3-3.

Tuesday’s game marked the end of the exhibition schedule for the Mintos. They’ll begin their regular season on Sept. 27 at 1:30 p.m. against the Notre Dame Hounds.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

Hobson and Gardiner both returning to Mintos; Mintos 4 SO Blackhawks 3

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