Mintos forward Ryland Martin puts his shoulder into Pat Canadians defenceman Koen Senft. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Mintos’ comeback effort comes short against Pat C’s

Sep 26, 2021 | 3:53 PM

The Prince Albert Mintos made a late push, but fell just short in their comeback bid against the Regina Pat Canadians. The Pat C’s handed the Mintos’ their first defeat of the season after the 5-3 scoreline Sunday at the Art Hauser Centre.

Ben Riche scored a hat trick for the Pat Canadians, including an empty netter late that sealed it as the Mintos were looking for the equalizer.

After a scoreless first period, Zayden Sadlemyer opened the scoring, beating the otherwise sharp Mintos goaltender Jayden Kraus with a quick release in the left hashmarks. Noel Englot provided a nice feed from behind the net at 4:22 into the second period.

Riche then scored his first of two power play goals in the frame with an accurate wrist shot at 9:30 into the second.

Mintos defenceman Nate Misskey got the Mintos back to within one goal with a power play goal of his own, a snap shot from the top of the circle at 15:57 into the second period.

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Riche then restored the Pat Canadians’ two-goal lead, tapping home a rebound caused by a hard low shot from Sadlemyer late in the second period.

The Pat Canadians extended their lead to 4-1 on a weird goal. Luke Cote cut into the slot and let a shot go and even though it was deflected and dribbled to the net, it changed direction drastically that Kraus had already committed to the other side of the goal.

Ryland Martin gave the Mintos some hope by getting his team to within two goals with 4:39 remaining. Martin flew down the right wing on an odd-man rush, and fooled Pat Canadian goaltender Kelton Pyne as if he was going to pass then slid it between his legs.

Then on a power play, Danton Cox pounced on a loose puck during a mad scramble in front of the Pat Canadian’s bench and potted it in. But that’s as close as the Mintos would come as they pulled Kraus for the extra attacker, and Riche scored for his own defensive zone on the empty net.

The Mintos split the weekend after Saturday’s 7-2 defeat over the Swift Current Legionnaires.

The Mintos will play their next four games at home at the Art Hauser Centre starting on Sept. 29 against the Warman Wildcats, then Oct. 2 against the Wildcats and Oct. 9-10 against the Estevan Bears.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW