Dave Leaderhouse
Special to the Herald
All that’s left for the Prince Albert Mintos is to play spoiler.
A disappointing 4-2 loss to the last-place Notre Dame Hounds on Sunday at the Art Hauser Centre, coupled with other results from around the league, officially put an end to the Mintos having any thoughts of post-season glory.
With three games left on the schedule all they can hope for is putting a wrinkle in other team’s plans.
“We should have had a better game,” said dejected Mintos’ head coach Dion Antisin following the loss. “The players knew what was on the line. Maybe there was too much pressure individually. Pressure in sports is different from pressure in life.”
“I’m very proud of this group,” added Antisin. “They worked hard all year. They always showed up willing to put in the work – willing to learn.”
Notre Dame set the tone early on Sunday when Mason Vermette, with a pair, and Nolan McGillis staked the Hounds to a 3-0 advantage before Liam Acorn got the Mintos on the board. Brett Ehrmantraut restored the three-goal cushion with the lone goal of the middle frame and when Liam Myhre scored a minute into the third period there was a glimmer of hope for Prince Albert, but that was as close as they would get.
Wyatt Nelson started the game in the Prince Albert goal, but he was chased to the sidelines after allowing three goals on 11 shots. Jaden Blanchette came on in relief and turned aside 21 of 22 shots while Cole Fox was brilliant in the Notre Dame net stopping 46 of 48 blasts directed his way.
The Mintos entered the game with renewed hope as they had outscored the Hounds 7-3 on Saturday for just their second win of the calendar year. Myhre was the offensive leader in that game scoring a pair and setting up one other while single markers were added by Maxim Cooper, Noah Gibson, Linden Abercrombie, Cruz Stacey and Carter Wingert. Blanchette went the distance in the Minto goal blocking 31 of 34 shots.
With the home part of the schedule now complete, the Mintos take to the road for three games this week to complete the season. They head to Tisdale on Wednesday to take on the Trojans and with Tisdale just two points out of the final playoff spot the Mintos will be looking to make things tough for them. Prince Albert then heads to Regina for a doubleheader on the weekend against the defending Telus Cup champion Pat Canadians. Regina is in a fierce battle with the Moose Jaw Warriors for first place overall and with just one point separating those two clubs the Mintos will once again be looking to be a difference maker in the final standings.
Knowing the home schedule was concluding this weekend the Mintos planned ahead and held their annual awards banquet on Saturday in front of family and friends. Following is a list of the award winners for the 2025-26 Mintos season:
• Yves Blais Scholastic Player of the Year – Wyatt Nelson and Cruz Stacey
• Jacob Leicht Heart and Hustle Award – Barret Berger
• Mintos Alumni Most Improved Player – Linden Abercrombie
• Darren Van Impe Rookie of the Year – Xander Pritchard
• Swenson Family Sportsmanship Award – Madden Dell
• Denis Pedersen Dedication and Commitment Award – Carter Wingert
• Dave Manson Top Defenceman Award – Cooper Sawatzky
• Jadon Potter Top Forward Award – Maxim Cooper
• Mintos Top Defensive Forward Award – Xander Pritchard
