By: Ken Oda, minotaurohockey.com
Minot, ND – The Minotauros opened the preseason this weekend with a sweep, taking both games from the Chicago Bulldogs of the NA3HL by a total of 15-0. Many of the Minotauros veteran players sat the weekend out including Jon Lizotte, Troy Degler, and Jake Howie. Of the vets that did play Colton Kramer scored in his lone game on Sunday as did affiliate players from last year Quinn Fuchs and Austin Killian.
Several new Tauros also found their way into the goal column. John Snodgrass had four goals on the weekend to lead all scorers. Sander Boroczky had three goals joining Snodgrass as the only players with multiple tallies. Blake Lizotte, Tim Athley, Christian Mohs, and Colton Budreau round out the goal scorers for the Tauros on the weekend.
The goaltending trio of Atte Tolvanen, Tanner Holmes, and Bryan Abell combined to stop all 48 shots that they saw this weekend. The Tauros meanwhile fired 103 shots at Chicago. Troy Pierce stopped 21 of 22 shots and Michael Paku stopped all 17 he saw to provide a bright spot for the Bulldogs.
Next up for the Tauros is a weekend trip to Canada, for three games in as many days. The Tauros will face the Estevan Bruins and Wayburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League as well as the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in a round robin played in Estevan starting Friday night.