by: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – The Minotauros have shown their resiliency at every turn this season, and Wednesday’s rare weeknight game was no different. The Tauros overcame short rest, a short bench (made shorter by the referee), and a third period deficit to earn two points with an overtime victory over the Blizzard.
The Blizzard opened the scoring just 4:04 into the game when Jared Docken fired a shot from the point while Brookings was on the power play. The Tauros would out-shoot the Blizzard over the first 20 minutes 10-7 but still trailed after one. Early in the second however the Tauros would answer with a power play goal of their own. After the Blizzard had cleared the puck, Jerry Laakso found Jake O’Borsky with a stretch pass. O’Borsky was able to split the Brookings defenders and Drew Weigman to tie the game at 1-1.
Just as they had in both last weekend’s games in Brookings the teams headed to the third period tied. Brookings took a 2-1 lead early in the period when Nick DeCenzo was able to beat Tyler Parks. Then the Tauros captain Tim Donohue took over. It started with a shift in which Donohue and his linemates Cameron Rowat and Lucas Oliver had several chances they were unable to convert. Then on their next shift, Donohue attempted to drive to the Blizzard net, he drew a penalty but still managed to put the puck behind Weigman to even the game at two.
The score remained 2-2 after 60 minutes had been played and the teams headed to overtime. After the teams traded missed chances O’Borsky fired a puck at Weigman who left a rebound in the slot that Donohue pounced on and fired into the open side of the goal to secure the victory for the Tauros.
Next Up: The Tauros head back to the road to take on the Austin Bruins on Friday. The game can be seen on fasthockey.com with voice of the Tauros Ken Oda on the call.