by: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – The Minotauros host a rare Tuesday night game against the rival Bobcats. The meeting will be the Bobcats first trip to the Maysa Arena main rink since the Tauros swept the Bobcats out of the playoffs last spring. The Tauros took the season’s first meeting in Bismarck by a score of 4-2 on October 3rd getting goals from Christian Mohs (4g 8a), Sam Fuss (2g 4a), Tyler Jeanson (2g 10a), and Jared Brandt (1g 5a).
Overall the Tauros offense comes in ranked 10th overall posting 3.19 goals per game on the fifth most shots per game at 32.06. Johnny Walker (11g 10a) leads the team with 21 points which is fifth best in the league. Austin Martinsen (7g 5a) and Chase Springman (5g 8a) rank second and third on the team in goals respectively. James LaDouce (4g 8a), Mohs, and Jeanson round out the Tauros with double digit points. In net John Flakne (2.05 gaa .919 sv%) and Lucas Murray (2.62 gaa .896 sv%) each have five wins on the season having split time. Overall the duo has combined to keep the Tauros ninth in goals against at 2.50 per game while facing the seventh fewest shots at 25.60 shots against per game.
The Bobcats have been a touch better on defense allowing 25.57 shots per game (6th) and 2.43 goals against per game (7th). Hunter Shepard (1.93 gaa .925 sv%) has carried the load posting a 7-5-0 record playing 12 of the Cats 14 games. Aaron Herdt (7g 7a) leads Bismarck with a point per game; Willie Brown (4g 9a) and Harrison Aide (4g 7a) round out the Cats with at least 10 points. Overall the Cats offense is ranked just one spot behind the Tauros despite scoring 0.40 fewer goals per game at 2.79.
Both clubs come in off of wins in Aberdeen last weekend, the Bobcats on Friday and the Tauros on Saturday. The Tauros sit atop the Central a point ahead of Austin despite playing three fewer games than the Bruins. The Cats sit in fourth having played just 14 games, the fewest in the division. A win for the Tauros would give some breathing room from the Bruins, and win for the Cats would propel them into the mix in the top half of the division.
Watch and Listen: Tickets for tonight’s game are still available by clicking the “Tickets” tab atop this page. Fans who can not come to the Maysa will be able to watch the game on fasthockey.com or listen live on prostyleproduction.com.