Mintos extend win streak to lucky 7; beat Contacts 4-3

Blair was also a big part of Thursday’s win. He scored the game-winning goal and added an assist to lead the Mintos offensively.

“I just came into this team and all the guys bonded very well. I think that’s just showing on the ice now this time of year” said Blair, who had eight points as many games for the Mintos. “We’re getting to know each other pretty good and we’re just gelling.”

The Mintos came into the season with 13 rookies on their active roster, but they seem to have already gotten the hang of things.

“They’re starting to buy in and they’re starting to get some confidence in themselves. You can see it in their play,” said Mintos head coach Tim Leonard. “We do bend a little bit at times, but everybody’s going to have a push against you. But I thought we [withstood]. We got down, but we battled back and I thought we had a great second period.”

The Mintos “bended” a bit in the first period, down 2-1 after the first period before pure domination in the second. The Mintos exploded for three goals and outshot the Contacts 13-3 in the second period.

Brandt Bertoia and Cody Chasse scored 35 seconds apart, before Maguire Blair scored with 36.3 seconds left in the frame for a 4-2 advantage heading into the third. Taylor Kreutzer had two assists in the second period as well.

“Anytime you start quick like that, it’s always a bonus. I thought we stuck with it, we probably could have had four or five there, but that’s the way it goes. We came away with a 4-2 lead, which is what we were looking for.”

Contacts forward Cody Illerbrun made the game interesting, scoring with 7:03 left in the third period to make it a one-goal game, but the Mintos were able to hold on.

Mintos 15-year-old rookie goaltender Jake Davidson picked up his third win in his fifth appearance of the season, stopping 16 of 19 shots.

The win was Davidson’s second win against the Contacts, as he made 25 saves in a 3-2 shootout win Oct. 6 at the Schroh Arena in his Midget AAA debut. Davidson’s other win game against the Contacts’ city rivals, the Saskatoon Blazers on Nov. 12.

“I thought we’d try the Saskatoon thing again here tonight,” smiled Leonard. “Hats off to him. He knows he probably should have that one back, but he battled back and made some saves.”

Although the Contacts’ record has dropped to 5-13-0-1, they were named the hosts of the Telus Cup Western Regionals March 31- April 3 and have an automatic spot in the tournament.

“It’s a good measuring stick, but we just have to keep getting better and better every week and be prepared,” said Blair. “It’s going to be a fun season here with the boys.

“We’re just starting.”

Ty Gitzel, Tyler Heidt and Cody Illerbrun scored for the Contacts. Contacts rookie goaltender Jordan Frey made 25 saves on 29 shots.

Snipin’ Sawchuk

Mintos sniper Riley Sawchuk scored a shorthanded goal in the first period, his 13^th goal of the season. Sawchuk is now ranked second in the SMAAAHL in goals, behind only Damian Bentz of the Yorkon RawTec Maulers who has 14 on the season.

Catching up with Raiders prospect Prefontaine

Contacts defenceman Ty Prefontaine had an assist in the game. Prefontaine is a signed and listed prospect of the Prince Albert Raiders, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

Contacts leading scorer Dino Antoniadis and forward Tyler Heidt also attended Raiders camp. Antoniadis was a free-agent camp invite, Heidt was dropped after camp.

Seeing red

Next on the docket for the Mintos is a two-game trip to Wilcox Nov. 21-22. The Mintos (13-3) will take on the two Notre Dame clubs, the Hounds (9-6-1-0) on Saturday and the Argos (2-9-1-0) on Sunday.

They’ll return home on Nov. 28 to take on their nearby rivals, the Beardy’s Blackhawks.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

Mintos extend win streak to lucky 7; beat Contacts 4-3

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