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The Tisdale Trojans swarm goalie Hunter Lolacher after their shootout win over the Prince Albert Mintos on Feb. 13, clinching a playoff spot. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)
Off to the Playoffs

Lights out Lolacher: Trojans clinch playoff spot with shootout win over Mintos

Feb 13, 2020 | 9:16 AM

The Tisdale Trojans were without Captain Kalen Ukrainetz on Wednesday when they took on the Prince Albert Mintos, but it didn’t seem to matter as the Trojans defeated their rivals 2-1 in a shootout.

The win clinched a playoff spot for Tisdale with three games remaining.

Tisdale gave up the first goal of the game five minutes in as Austin McLean was able to get on the board off a missed coverage. It was the first whistle of the game that jumped out to an extremely fast start with both teams getting their licks in.

The Trojans wouldn’t back down after giving up the first goal, something Assistant Coach Daven Smith said was nice to see.

“We’ve been struggling off the bat, having some bad starts,” he said. “But it was a really good push back, obviously this was a big game for us, gave us a playoff berth. That’s a big game to win.”

The Trojans tied it up thanks to a bit of help from the hockey gods when Carter Briltz threw the puck from behind the Minto net out in the slot. It hit Noah Wills’ shin and happened to squeak by Prince Albert netminder Joel Favreau. It was a play the Mintos believed should’ve been called off because of a kicking motion, but it was tied 1-1 for the rest of the second, and the third.

The third period saw the Mintos come out aggressive as they fired a total of 16 shots towards Hunter Lolacher who stopped all of them. The Trojans only managed seven in the period, but neither goalie was budging at all, meaning we would see overtime.

Nothing would be solved in overtime, but both teams had a few chances including a couple of Tisdale two-on-ones. Lolacher also needed to make a few massive saves for the Trojans in the period. He made five in overtime and 39 overall.

“Apologies to him,” Smith told northeastNOW. “His numbers aren’t the best because of our [defensive] zone, but every single net he’s giving us a chance to win. He’s lights out, and tonight obviously you see it, 40 shots he sees in regulation, shuts the door in the shootout, that’s Hunter Lolacher for you.”

In the shootout the Trojans shot first, but Keagon Little, Noah Wills, and Trento Curtis all could not score for Tisdale. The same can be said for Chase Betholet, Josh Peppler, and Dawson Springer as the Mintos shooters couldn’t score either. Mario Fortier missed for Tisdale, while Ty Bahm missed for Prince Albert. Next up was the third leading goal scorer in the SMAAAHL as Mackenzie Carson, with 28 goals on the season, got his chance. He would rip a shot five-hole on Favreau, giving Tisdale the lead. Mintos leading scorer Turner McMillen would be up next for Prince Albert, but he was stopped by the glove of Lolacher, sealing the game, and sealing the Trojans playoff spot.

Smith said with three games remaining in the regular season, it’s time to tighten the loose screws.

“We want to make sure all the boys are rested, we just want to make sure we’re ready for playoff hockey,” he said. “Obviously make the playoffs is the first step, then it’s anybody’s game after that, so got to make sure the boys are crispy.”

Tisdale can finish as high as seventh in the regular season. Next up is home dates against Beardy’s and Yorkton before a trip to Saskatoon to take on the Blazers for the regular season finale.

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6