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Minot, ND – For the first time in the 2026-27 season, the Minot Minotauros (4-1-0) will be playing on familiar ice in the home barn for a weekend bout with the St. Cloud Norsemen (1-4-0). After a successful trip to the Super Rink in Minneapolis for the NAHL Showcase where the Tauros swept the week with wins over Elmira, Danbury, and Amarillo, they now get to finally settle into the home schedule. The first two home weekends will come against the Norsemen, who are off to their worst start to a season since they lost six straight to begin 2020-21. The Tauros, winners of four straight, have found several different ways to win already in the young season – a 3rd period survival win against Aberdeen on the first Saturday of the season, a back-and-forth win against Elmira, a low-scoring, low-shot win against Danbury, and a dominant shot output versus an impressive performance from the goalie against Amarillo. Such has been the trend early on this season for the Minotauros: they’re finding ways to win. St. Cloud, on the other hand, has been struggling out of the gate. Their lone win came in their most recent game, a 3-0 shutout win against the Minnesota Wilderness on the final day of the NAHL Showcase. Their special teams have gotten off to a rough start. Their 59% penalty kill is currently ranked last in the NAHL, and their 8% power play is 6th worst in the NAHL. Despite those numbers, the Norsemen have been starting to trend upward. After three losses to start the season by three or more goals, St. Cloud played New Mexico tight in a 3-2 loss, then got the aforementioned shutout to finally get in the win column. The Minotauros have been fairly consistent in their first five games, and their 3rd periods have consistently been their best. The Tauros fast start to the season can be attributed in part to a fast-paced, high-volume hitting style of game with active sticks in the neutral zone and lots of north and south passes to catch defensemen on their heels. This strategy has already resulted in multiple breakaway goals, goals off the rush, and pinched in defensemen logging key assists on big goals. Minot has set an early tone, and against a struggling team, they have an opportunity to make a lot of noise at Maysa Arena over the weekend. The Minotauros want you to be part of that noise, so be sure to secure your tickets to Opening Weekend at Maysa Arena for October 2nd and 3rd at 7:35pm CT. Tickets are available on the Tauros Hockey Mobile App or at tickets.minotauroshockey.com. |
