Raider prospect Allan’s huge night lifts Blazers to Game 5 victory over Mintos

“I’m happy. We’re all pretty happy to get out of a tough series like that, being down 2-1 on the road especially,” said Allan, who the Raiders drafted third overall in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. “To be able to come back from that, it’s pretty special.

Allan was a huge factor in the series. Not only did he have a hat trick, five-point night in the do-or-die Game 5, but he was able to consistently put up points. He ends the five-game series with five goals and 11 points, which leads the whole SMAAAHL playoffs in scoring despite playing in his 15-year-old true rookie season as a defenceman.

“It’s nice to get some points, but it was a team effort,” Allan said. “Everyone really played well and played their hardest. We really didn’t want the season to end today.”

The Mintos didn’t want their season to end either. According to assistant coach Bryan Swystun, they left everything they had left on the Rod Hamm ice surface—despite playing in their third game in as many nights and after a disappointing 3-0 loss Saturday at home.

“I’m proud of our kids. They battled hard. I think a lesser team would have folded after last night,” Swystun said. “We played three tough games in a 72-hour period. We gave it our all and we apologize for nothing. We battled right to the end. I don’t think the score was indicative of the two-goal cushion. We had chances right to the end and I give our kids a lot of credit.”

The biggest thing Swystun was proud about was how much his players grew as players and people throughout the season.

“The lessons that we learn are sometimes more important than a ‘W,’” Swystun said. “We talked about them before we got on the bus today. These guys are twice the players they were when they came to us from their various clubs. They gelled together as teammates. When you go through experiences like that, I’m not sure there’s a medium that allows you to grow like that, especially at this young age. Our guys know that we’re fortunate.

“Like we say, once a Minto, always a Minto.”

Rest of Raiders prospects report

Blazers 17-year-old forward Cole Nagy, who was signed by the Raiders this season, had two assists in the series. Mintos forward Cohner Saleski, who went in the first round to the Raiders in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, finished the series with four goals and six points.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blazers, Nolan Allan from Jordan Edwards, 5:26

1-1, Mintos, Alex Ozar from Andrew Schaab and Ashton Ferster (power play), 14:44

Second Period

2-1, Blazers, Nolan Allan from Carter Stebbings and Matthew Pesenti (shorthanded), 0:47

2-2, Mintos, Blake Duquette from Cohner Saleski and Alex Ozar (power play) 1:37

3-2, Blazers, Josh Nagy from Nolan Allan and Alec Saretzky, 2:40

3-3, Mintos, Cohner Saleski from Jake Huska and Cooper Chisholm, 9:21

4-3, Mintos, Gabe Klassen from Chase Bertholet, 2:05

Third Period

4-4, Blazers, Tyson Wouters from James Form and Keenan Allan, 13:27

5-4, Blazers, Nolan Allan from Charlie Keller and Nolan Flamand, 11:18

6-4, Blazers, Alec Saretzky from Josh Nagy and Nolan Allan (power play) 2:46

Playoff picture

The rest of the league was waiting for this series to conclude one way or another.

The other three series ended in three-game sweeps, as the Regina Pat Canadians, Tisdale Trojans and Notre Dame Hounds all had quick series victories.

In the second round of the playoffs, the Pat Canadians will face off against the Notre Dame Hounds, while the Blazers will take on the Tisdale Trojans.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

by Jeff D'Andrea

Raider prospect Allan’s huge night lifts Blazers to Game 5 victory over Mintos

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