The Moose Jaw Generals didn’t have their turkey dinner before Sunday’s afternoon game against the Prince Albert Mintos.
It just looked like it.
The Mintos were all over a lethargic Generals team early and earned a 5-1 win in Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League action.
“I thought we were starting to get a little too fat for our own heads,” said Generals head coach Ray Wareham. “We got away with one in Saskatoon (Friday).
“We kind of fooled ourselves into believing we were a little better than we were and got taught a very valuable lesson.”
The loss was the Generals’ first of the season. They will take their 3-1 record into Saskatoon when they face the Contacts Thursday.
“Thursday night will tell us a lot about the kind of team we have,” said Wareham. “You can’t be perimeter players in this league.
The Mintos scored 1:02 into the second period to take control of the game for good thanks to Kylar Hope’s second goal of the game.
The Mintos went ahead 4-0 a scant 53 seconds later on the Mintos’ third power play goal of the game. Wareham used his time out and felt that after the chances were pretty even, but the damage had been done.
“You can’t start out down 4-0 against that team or else you’re in for a long night,” said Wareham.
Adam Osczevski scored two power play goals for the Mintos and added a pair of assists, while Justin Boyer also scored.
Stephen Wilson scored midway through the third period to break up Tanner Burgardt’s shutout bid.
