by: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Bismarck, ND – For the first time since October 20th and 26th the Tauros have dropped two games in a row. Tyler Parks stopped 26 of 28 shots from the Bobcats but the Tauros were unable to solve Aaron Nelson who blanked the Tauros for the second time this season.
The Bobcats opened the scoring early in the first period when Cory Chapman found some room on the rush and ripped a shot past Parks from the left wing side. The Tauros managed only four shots in the first period. In the second Patrick Moore was able to beat Parks again on the rush with a wrist shot from the left side. Moore’s goal came after the Tauros had maintained possession in the Bobcat zone for 20 seconds but none of their four shot attempts made it through to Nelson. The Tauros had five power plays through the first two periods but managed only 11 total shots through 40 minutes of play.
The third period saw the Tauros get frustrated. After being called for charging Tauro captain Tim Donohue was also given an abuse of officials misconduct. Tauros assistant captain Matt Audette came to Donohue’s defense and also was sent off for 10 minutes for abuse of officials. Tempers got even higher when Collin Abitz hit Nate Repensky along the boards. The hit appeared clean, and no penalty was called, but Repensky was left bloody on the ice.
The loss to the Bobcats dropped the Tauros record against the in-state rival to 3-2-1. The teams will not meet again until February 1st when the Bobcats come to the Maysa.
Next Up: The Tauros have three games in as many nights starting Thursday night in Aberdeen followed by a pair of games in Austin.