By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
The Minotauros head to the capital for a game with the rival Bismarck Bobcats on Wednesday night. The Bobcats currently sit seven points ahead of the Tauros for third place in the Central Division, and have taken three of the first four meetings. The Tauros took the most recent meeting however in a 6-4 comeback win in which the Tauros posted four third period goals to get the win.
The Tauros are a very different team than the one that lost two games to the Bobcats in late October. Minot picked up wins in six of the eight games since the first Bobcat series. The offense which struggled early has posted 24 goals over the last eight games. Colton Kramer leads the club over that time with five goals, including a hat trick last Friday in the Tauros win over the Magicians. Jake Howie leads all Tauros scorers with eight points over the last eight games including three goals. Goaltender Brandon Wildung, was named the Central Division first star of the week for his play in the sweep over Minnesota last weekend.
The Tauros will need to find a way to slow both Cullen Willox and Filip Starzynski, who each have four goals against the Tauros in four games so far. Nate Repensky leads all Bobcats with seven points (all assists) against the Tauros this year. His seven helpers account for one third of his assists on the season. In net Aaron Nelson continues to dominate the blue paint for the Bobcats having started and played all one game this year.
After Wednesday’s game the Tauros get Thanksgiving off before hosting the Aberdeen Wings on Friday and Saturday night. Bring a canned food item to the Tauros home games before December 14th and get $2.00 off admission to the game. There will also be $1.00 8 oz. Coors Light cans in the Bullpen this weekend as well.