Keeping Pace

Nov 5, 2018

Minot, ND – The Minotauros earned a weekend split with the Austin Bruins to remain three points back of them for the division lead.

Friday night (box score) the Bruins struck early when Dante Sheriff got behind the Tauros defense and beat Nick Grabko on a breakaway just 2:01 into the game.  The Tauros would draw even when David Raisanen scored with just 22 seconds remaining in the first period with help from the newest Tauro Levi Keiboer and Didrik Henbrant.  Again in the second the Bruins struck quickly with Levi Stauber scored 1:33 in but Sam Skinner scored his first as a Tauro just three minutes later to once again tie the game.  In the third it was the Tauros who struck early when Henbrant and Kyle Oleksiuk scored just 46 seconds apart in the periods opening minutes to give the Tauros a 4-2 lead.  Andrew Willis capitalized on a turnover late to pull the Bruins within one but Grabko shut the door to give the Tauros the win and the Bruins just their second regulation loss of the season.

Unlike Friday night Saturday night (box score) did not see early goals scored.  Former Tauro Jed Pietila scored first on the power play at 15:47 of the first to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead.   Andrew Willis added another power play goal in the middle of the second and Connor Mylymok added another on a penalty shot just a few minutes later to put the Tauros in a 3-0 hole heading into the third.  The Tauros generated several chances in the third period but could not score.  Adam Szubert added an empty netter in the final minutes to push the final to 4-0.

Next up for the Tauros is another look at the Bruins, this time in Austin on Friday and Saturday followed by a quick turnaround with the Bismarck Bobcats on Monday, November 12th.  All three games will be on all three outlets of the Minotauros Network, AM 1390 KRRZ, HockeyTV.com, and the “Listen Live” tab atop this page.