Fofonoff hat trick leads Mintos past Blazers

The Prince Albert Mintos rode a hat trick from Parker Fofonoff and a four-goal goal second period to open the 2017 SMAAAHL preseason with a victory.

Luke Nkwama, Jaden Mayer and Braden Birnie also scored for the Mintos, who downed the Saskatoon Blazers 6-4 at Harold Latrace Arena.

The two teams entered the second period tied at one before Fofonoff, who spent last season with the North East Midget AA Wolfpack, scored his second of the night less than two minutes into the period. The Blazers came roaring back with two goals of their own to take a 3-2 lead, before Nkwama and Mayer tallied to restore the Minto lead. Fofonoff added his third of the night with less than three minutes to go in the period, giving the Mintos a 5-3 lead heading into the final frame.

The Blazers made things interesting by scoring 37 seconds into the third period, but that’s as close as they got. Birnie provided some insurance for Prince Albert midway through the period to make the final 6-4.

Joel Favreau and Parker Sturby combined to stop 26 shots for Prince Albert in a winning effort. The goaltending duo of Adam Dmyterko and J.D. Storozynsky made 23 saves for the Blazers.

The Mintos resume their exhibition schedule on Sept. 14 when they travel to Saskatoon to take on the Contacts at Schroh Arena. Puck drop is 7:45 p.m.

Their first preseason home game comes on Sept. 15 when the Blazers make a return trip to the Art Hauser Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.

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