by: Ted Larson
Brookings, SD- Stop me if you've heard this before, but for the third weekend in a row the Minot Minotauros will look to clinch the franchise's first ever NAHL playoff birth. The Tauros hope to handle their business this weekend, in a home and home series versus border rival the Brookings Blizzard.
The Tauros come in 0-5 their last five and will look to bounce back after getting swept at home last weekend at the hands of the Austin Bruins. Brookings, 3 wins 2 losses over their last 5, come in fresh off a sweep of the Coulee Region Chill a week ago. The Blizzard lead the season series versus Minot 5-3 and have been able to take advantage of home-ice, winning all but one game at home.
As it doesn't appear the Aberdeen Wings (8-1-1 last 10 games) will be doing Minot any favors. The Wings will again be heavily favored against Coulee Region this weekend. And with only 4 regular season games left (vs. Brookings and Bismarck) the Tauros playoff window closes a little bit more with each passing loss.
Key Player: Minot- F Denis Dalidovich, with the Tauros struggling on special teams of late and possibly running a thin line-up tonight, a complete effort by this Tauros forward could help allow for some secondary scoring
Road Watch Party: Remember you can watch the Tauros compete for their first ever playoff birth tonight at Buffalo Wings and Rings for the Tauros Road Watch Party! Tickets are $30 for all you can drink tap beer and all you can eat wings, kids tickets- $5
MSU NIGHT SATURDAY- The Tauros organization will be honoring the ACHA Champion Minot State Beavers Men's Hockey team in between the 1st and 2nd period of this Saturday's Tauros game. First 200 MSU students with valid I.D. get into the game free!