By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – The Central Division remains the most contested in the NAHL with all six teams still jockeying for position in the race for four playoff spots. The Minotauros and Bismarck Bobcats are the only two clubs that have clinched playoff spots with the Tauros sitting one point behind their in-state rival with four games remaining on the schedule. The Tauros kick off the final stretch with two games against the Austin Bruins to close out the home portion of the regular season.
The Tauros have not seen the Bruins since Thanksgiving weekend when they were dueling atop the division. Since the start of February however the Bruins have struggled to a 6-7-3 record to third place in the division. Gilbert Gabor (21g 35a) leads the Bruins with 56 points which is good for seventh in the league. Jade Miller (27g 21a) is sixth in the NAHL with 27 goals, and Jacob Paganelli (13g 25a) with 38 points rounds out the Bruins’ top three scorers. Kristofer Carlson (20-17-2) has played the vast majority of the Bruins games in goal posting a 2.54 GAA and .916 SV%.
For the Tauros Christian Mohs (15g 31a) has pulled within three points of the 100-point mark for his career. He would be the first Tauro to reach triple digits in points. Max Reisinger (14g 25a), Colton Berg (4g 6a), and Derek Frentz (16g 21a) each have six points over the last five games. In goal Gunner Rivers (16-9-3) has been lights out since being acquired from Odessa. As a Tauro Rivers has a .946 SV% and 1.73 GAA to go 9-1-2 with three shutouts.
Fans attending the games this weekend should be sure to vote for their favorite Tauro for the Fan Favorite Award which will be presented at Wednesday’s Tauros Awards Banquet. After Saturday night’s game the Tauros will auction their game-worn home jerseys; the jerseys will be autographed and made available after the end of the playoffs.