Mintos goaltenders Jayden Kraus gets a hug from defenceman Danton Cox after an emotional 3-2 win over the Blazers. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D’Andrea

Mintos upset Blazers in emotional comeback win

Jan 23, 2022 | 4:06 PM

It was by no means easy. It looked improbable after the first period, but the Prince Albert Mintos came back from two goals down to defeat the second-place Saskatoon Blazers 3-2, Sunday at the Art Hauser Centre.

The Blazers dominated the first period in just about everything – shots, chances, time in possession, and most importantly, they enjoyed a 2-0 advantage in goals. Blazers rookie Raiden Zacharias finished off a great passing play on the power play 12:53 into the period, before Blazers captain Hudson Malinoski scored on a breakaway with 25 seconds left in the opening frame.

But the Travis Swanson show began to roll in the second period. Swanson swung the game’s momentum by scoring 43 seconds into the sandwich stanza. A puck bounced in the slot, but Swanson rifled it off the crossbar and into the net. Swanson then tied the game up on an odd-man rush, firing home a one-timer after a nice set up from Zach Bansley.

Then with 6:34 remaining in the game, Karson Blanchette potted home a rebound to give the Mintos the eventual game-winning goal.

The Mintos didn’t exactly hold on for dear life in the following 6:33, but they were able to absorb relentless pressure from the Blazers, who were looking for the tying goal.

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Mintos goaltender Jayden Kraus stood tall, and made 30 saves on 32 shots for the Mintos’ victory, his 10^th win of the season.

The Mintos improve to 19-12-1 on the year. The Blazers remain in second place with a 24-6-1 record.

The Mintos are heading to the Battlefords to take on the Stars on Wednesday, before heading to Yorkton on Jan. 29-30 to replay their previously-canceled weekend set against the Yorkton Maulers.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW