Back on Track

Dec 19, 2015

By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com

Minot, ND – The Minotauros put an end to their season worst four game losing skid by doubling up the Bobcats at home on Friday night.  Now the Tauros close out the first half of the season by heading to Aberdeen to take on the Wings with a chance to move alone into first place in the Central Division, a spot the Tauros have held at least a share of for all but a few weeks this season.

Last night (full box) the Tauros and Bobcats got off to a slow start.  The first period saw no goals and just eight shots for the Tauros and four for the Bobcats.  Jake Dittel (2g 8a) broke the scoreless tie on Teddy Bear Toss night with a shorthanded goal at 14:20 of the second when he finished a three-on-two rush. The goal brought hundreds of teddy bears over the glass which will be donated to the Minot Police Department and the Minot Domestic Violence Crisis Center.  After the bears were cleaned up from the ice Derek Frentz (8g 6a) doubled the Tauros lead when he found a loose puck in the high slot and snapped a wrist shot in past Hunter ShepardAustin Martinsen (10g 7a) gave the Tauros a 3-0 lead early in the third but a push back from the Bobcats saw them pull within 3-2. Frentz however would add an insurance goal after being pulled down on a breakaway.   Frentz snapped a wristshot through Shepard’s leg pads to push the final to 4-2.

Next up is the Aberdeen Wings, the Tauros are 3-1-0 against the Wings on the season.  Tucker DeYoung (6g 13a) leads the Wings in scoring with 19 points on the year.  Carter Roo (3g 12a) has two goals and two assists against the Tauros this season and is second on the Wings overall with 15 points.  University of North Dakota commit Peter Thome (2.53gaa .929sv%) has played a majority of games in goal for the Wings going 5-9-3 on the season including starting all three of the Wings losses to the Tauros.

After the Tauros face the Wings tonight they get an 11 day Christmas break.  They will return to action in Minot on December 30th when the Bismarck Bobcats come to town.  The Tauros will be busy coming out of the break heading to Bismarck on December 31st, Aberdeen on January 2nd, and then returning to the Maysa on January 5th for an exhibition game against the Minot State Beavers to raise money for the Maysa Expansion Project.  Ticket for all Minotauros home games can be purchased by clicking the “Tickets” atop this page.  Tonight’s game and all Tauros games can be seen on www.fasthockey.com or listened to at www.prostyleproduction.com.