By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
The Tauros flipped the script on the visiting Aberdeen Wings on Friday after the Wings had used big second periods to win the previous weekend’s meetings. This time it was the Tauros with the big second, scoring at even strength, on the powerplay, and shorthanded in route to a 4-2 victory.
Just like the previous meetings the Tauros trailed by a goal after the first period after Erik Baskin posted the only score of the frame. However the second period was all Tauros. Defenseman Travis Maxwell scored his first goal as a Tauro on a shot from the point that seemed to catch Jared Stearns off guard at 9:51 of the second. Tim Donohue’s powerplay goal just 2:45 after that gave the Tauros the lead. 3:30 later Collin Abitz making his Tauro debut scored a shorthanded goal to make it 3-1 in favor of the home team.
Kyle Haak made it interesting with a powerplay marker midway through the third. However with Stearns on the bench for an extra attacker with under a minute to play Donohue sent a shot from his own blue line into the waiting empty net to assure the victory.
The Minotauros will not have much time to celebrate the victory however with a game on the road in Brookings on Saturday night. It will be the first meeting of the season for the two clubs, and the first since the Blizzard moved from Alexandria, MN, to Brookings, SD.
The Blizzard boast one of the stingiest goals against averages allowing only 2.5 goals against which is good for sixth best in the league. On the flipside the Blizzard allow a seventh worst 33.8 shots against per game. The low goals against average can be attributed to a three goalie time share of Drew Weigman, Erick Majerle, and Nick Deery who remarkably each have a .926 SV%.
The Tauros head into the game averaging 2.5 goals per game on the season, but that number has picked up of late. The Tauros have averaged 3.4 goals over the last five games. Thanks in large part to the line of Donohue, Cameron Rowat, and Lucas Oliver, who have combined for five goals and eight assists over that span.
Road Watch Party: The game against Brookings also kicks off the Road Watch Party Series at Buffalo Wings and Rings. The game will be on in a private room for Tauros fans and Wings and Rings will be featuring all you can eat wings, and all you can drink soda and beer. There will also be Tauros prize giveaways during intermission and for each Tauros goal. Tickets are $30 for wings and beer and only $15 for wings and soda; children under ten are only $5. Doors open at 6:30 and the wings and drinks continue until the end of the game. Buffalo Wings and Rings is located at 910 24th Ave. SW, in Minot, near the Dakota Square Mall.