Dave Leaderhouse
Herald Staff
Playing shorthanded didn’t bother the Prince Albert Mintos on Thursday.
Not only were the Mintos missing four regular players, but they also scored a pair of shorthanded goals in recording a 4-0 triumph over the Beardy’s Blackhawks in a Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League game played at the Willow Cree Memorial Sport Centre.
The game, which was rescheduled from November, had Lochlan Morrison, Zach Paziuk, Tye Antoniak and Jordan Harris staying at home for a variety of illnesses with affiliate players Jesse Haeusler, Chad Grambo, Matthew Parsons and Braxx George taking their places in the line-up.
Joel Blaquiere led the Mintos’ attack with a pair of goals, including one shorthanded, with singles coming from Bryton Sayers and Cody Young, whose goal 39 seconds into the third period was also while Prince Albert was a man short.
Lance Yaremchuk collected a pair of assists to move him to within two points of second place in league scoring. The second-year centre now has 24 goals and 21 assists on the season.
Lane Michasiw stopped all 21 shots in the Minto goal to record his second shutout of the season. The shutout lowered Michasiw’s goals-against-average to 1.62, second best in the league.
The win, the Mintos’ fourth in a row and seventh in their last eight games, improves Prince Albert’s record to 21-5-2-0. The Saskatoon Contacts and Regina Pat Canadians, who battled to a 2-2 tie on Wednesday, are now seven points back of the league-leading Mintos.
Prince Albert will now have nine days off before they return to action. The next Minto game will be Jan. 19 when they will participate in the inaugural Flaman’s Outdoor Classic at the Crescent Heights Arena. The Mintos will face the Saskatoon Blazers at 4 p.m. to complete the busy schedule.
The A&W Bears will also play a Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League contest against the Saskatoon Stars as part of the day’s action with a pair of atom division games completing the entertainment package.
Tickets cost $15 for the day and can be picked up at the Prince Albert Raider office.
