The Prince Albert Mintos find themselves one win away from causing the only upset in the opening round of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League playoffs.
After a 6-1 triumph over the Saskatoon Blazers in Game 3 of the best-of-five quarter-final series at the Rod Hamm Memorial Arena Friday, the sixth-seeded Mintos can knock off the third-ranked Blazers with a victory at the Art Hauser Centre at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The Mintos got key performances at both ends of the ice on their way to picking up their second road win of the series.
After Carter Woodside got the nod in goal for the first two games, Spencer Welke took over between the pipes and made 49 saves, 23 of which came in the third period.
Blake Duquette and Dawson Springer had a goal and an assist each for the Mintos, while Ethan Ironside had a pair of assists.
Andrew Urbaniak, Alex Ozar, Gabe Klassen and Cohner Saleski also scored for the visitors.
Carter Stebbings had the lone goal for the Blazers, who received a 23-save showing from Brett Mirwald as he took over starting duties from Matthew Pesenti.
The Mintos, who are without head coach Ken Morrison for five more games due to a suspension following a game misconduct penalty that was called after the series opener, also lost the services of Alex Von Sprecken and Cooper Chisholm during Friday’s contest as they were ejected following checking from behind penalties.
If the Blazers can stave off elimination Saturday, the fifth and deciding contest in the series would be held in Saskatoon at 5 p.m. Sunday.
The top-ranked Regina Pat Canadians would be the Mintos’ opponent if they were to advance, while the Blazers would take on the second-seeded Tisdale Trojans in the semifinal round.
