The Prince Albert Mintos snapped a three-game losing streak in dramatic fashion Tuesday night.
Down 3-1 to the Saskatoon Blazers with 4:50 left in the third period, the Mintos scored twice in a minute and six seconds stretch to force overtime against the top team in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League.
Following a wild frame that saw both teams hit the post, Mintos captain Chase Friedt-Mohr completed the comeback with 1:10 to go as he made a power move to the net and beat Zane Winter to give the hosts a 4-3 victory.
“Our whole team came together in that third period,” Friedt-Mohr said. “We were tired of losing and we were hungry for that win.
“It’s not just me though, the whole team got the win here tonight. Even in the games that we lost lately, I felt like we had so many chances, but we just couldn’t bury them.”
It was a big night for Friedt-Mohr, who almost didn’t play Tuesday as he’s currently battling an illness.
The Spokane Chiefs draft pick had an assist on Gage Helm’s third period marker and then put a shot home from the point to tie things up moments later, which set the stage for his overtime heroics.
“He had a phenomenal game tonight,” Mintos head coach Danton Danielson said.
“Chase is a guy that leads by example and seeing someone that puts in a performance like that is infectious for the entire lineup. He’s a great leader in the room and on the ice for us, and it’s also nice to see him be rewarded on the scoresheet.”
The Prince Albert product now leads the Mintos in scoring with 19 points in 18 games, as his three-point outing moved him ahead of forward Gabe Klassen, who is currently playing for the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks.
Friedt-Mohr’s game-winning goal wouldn’t have even happened if it wasn’t for a big save seconds earlier by Joel Favreau, as he came across the crease to rob Liam Bell of the Blazers on a two-on-one rush.
“That was a great bounce back game for him and I think that was one of his best for us all year,” Friedt-Mohr said of the Mintos netminder, who turned aside 26 shots on Tuesday.
“He’s always battling in practice and he’s always looking for ways to get better. It’s quite amazing to see the work that he does day in and day out.”
Prince Albert Raiders draft pick Dallyn Peekeekoot scored his first career Midget AAA goal in the victory, which helped the Mintos improve to 12-6 on the season and put them into third place in the standings.
While the hosts were pleased with the sudden turn of events, that wasn’t quite the case across the arena as the Blazers were trying to figure out how they suffered their third loss of the season to the Mintos.
“You have to give Prince Albert credit as they played well tonight, but we need to close these kinds of games out,” Blazers head coach Scott Scissons said.
“Obviously we’re a little raw right now after letting some points slip away, but it’s a good learning experience for the guys and we’ll be better the next time we’re in a situation like this.”
Tyson Wouters, Vancouver Giants draft pick Alec Saretzky and Lethbridge Hurricanes defensive prospect Logan McCutcheon all scored for the 14-3-1 Blazers, who saw a two-game win streak come to an end Tuesday.
Winter, who is a draft pick of the Red Deer Rebels, turned aside 27 shots for the visitors.
The Mintos will return to action Thursday night at the Art Hauser Centre for a 7 p.m. meeting with the Saskatoon Contacts, who are currently in second place in the SMAAAHL standings with a 13-4-1 mark after a 4-1 road win over the Battlefords Stars Tuesday.
The Contacts feature 2005-born forwards Brayden Yager and Riley Heidt, who are both expected to be selected in the top five picks at the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.
