After Ty Bahm opened the scoring just 95 seconds into the game, the Prince Albert Mintos were unable to solve the Saskatoon Contacts for the rest of Tuesday’s outing at Merlis Belsher Place.
In the opening contest in a best-of-five Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League quarter-final affair, the third-ranked Contacts controlled proceedings against the sixth-seeded Mintos as they came away with a 4-1 victory.
Ty Albrecht led the way for the Contacts with two goals and an assist, while Riley Heidt had a goal and an assist each.
Alex Bernauer and Brayden Yager both dished out a pair of helpers for the hosts, who also got a goal from Matthew Hodson and a 25-save performance from Chase Hamm.
Joel Favreau had another strong showing in goal for the Mintos as he turned aside 35 shots.
The two sides will square off once again on Thursday in a 7 p.m. matchup at the Art Hauser Centre.
Tuesday’s other playoff game saw Zac Robins score in double overtime to give the seventh-seeded Tisdale Trojans a 2-1 series-opening triumph over the Saskatoon Blazers.
Hunter Lolacher made 43 saves for the Trojans, who will host the second game in that series on Thursday.
Thursday will also see the other two quarter-final matchups get underway as the top ranked Regina Pat Canadians will host the eighth seeded Swift Current Legionnaires, while the fourth ranked Moose Jaw Warriors will entertain a fifth seeded Notre Dame Hounds side that has won the last two league titles.
