The Pat Canadians celebrate after scoring a go-ahead goal to make 3-2 against the Mintos on March 5, 2023. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Last life

Mintos drop back-and-forth game two, fall behind in series 2-0 to Regina

Mar 5, 2023 | 5:53 PM

PRINCE ALBERT, SK – The Prince Albert Mintos pushed the Regina Pat Canadians to their limits on Sunday afternoon but fell short by one goal, losing 4-3 at the Art Hauser Centre.

The loss puts the Mintos at a 2-0 series deficit as they now sit on the brink of playoff elimination.

Despite what the scoreboard shows, Mintos head coach Tim Leonard said that he thought his team left it all out on the ice.

“I thought we played really well,” he said. “They’re a good hockey team and our guys answered the bell. We were short some guys as everyone was aware but we didn’t feel sorry for ourselves. We went out and worked hard. Unfortunately, it was a bounce or a call there that caused the game but I’m pretty proud of the guys.”

Mintos netminder Jayden Kraus stopped 23 shots while Regina goaltender Taylor Tabashniuk also turned aside 23 shots.

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COMPLETE BOX SCORE

The game came down to the wire, as five goals were scored between both clubs in the third period alone.

Logan Pickford got the party started early in the opening frame with Owen Nelson picking up the assist on the play.

The Mintos carried the one-goal lead going into the second where Regina would tie it up with seven seconds to go in the period, courtesy of Ryan Zaremba’s second of the playoffs. Casey Brown and Raiders prospect Luke Moroz were credited with the assists on the play.

To the third period now where Ryan McDonald broke the tie early in the period, scoring short side with Matthew Ronn and Rhett Platt helping out on the play.

Then, Raydr Wallington fed captain Caden Dunn who lit the lamp to bring the game back to even, 2-2.

Koen Senft, along with Noel Englot and Kolten Bridgeman, then joined in on the fun and scored to help the Pat Canadians regain the lead.

A shot time later though, Konnor Watson got in on a partial break and sniped his first of the postseason to make it three all.

However, with less than two minutes to go, a PA penalty would send Regina to the powerplay where Englot scored less than ten seconds into the man advantage. Ronn and Nolan Stevenson collected the assists on the play.

The Mintos pulled Kraus for the extra attacker but couldn’t convert, as the Pat Canadians escape with a 4-3 win.

It’s do or die for Prince Albert in their next matchup as they’ll head to Regina for game three on Tuesday night. Puck drop is at 7:45.

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logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann