Preview 10-21-21

Oct 21, 2021

Minot, ND – The Minotauros get their second look of the season at the Austin Bruins when the Central leaders come to the Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena for the weekend.  The teams split a series in Austin the last weekend of September with each game finishing with a 3-2 decision.  Now that the series shifts to Minot on Friday and Saturday night the Tauros hope their home ice advantage holds as the Tauros are 15-3-3 against the Bruins including the playoffs since the Pepsi Rink opened.

This year’s Tauros group has been led on offense by the David Nesburg, Huston Karpman, Jaksen Panzer line which has combined for 14 goals through 12 games.  Karpman leads the team with 15 points on eight goals and seven helpers.  Zack Simon and Trevor Stachowiak each have a goal and an assist against the Bruins this year to lead the team Simon’s goal came shorthanded in his Tauro debut while Stachowiak’s was his first junior goal.

The Bruins offense has posted 42 goals through 11 contests this season with Jens Richards and Carson Riddle leading the way with 14 points apiece.  Sutter Muzzatti has been the Bruins main setup man with 11 assists on the season he is the only Bruin in double figures.  Richards led the Bruins attack against the Tauros in the teams’ first meeting with three points on a goal and two assists, defenseman Marian Haborak added a goal and an assist as well in the split.

In goal the Tauros Zach Sandy has acquitted himself well in his first junior season posting a 2.24 GAA and .929 SV%; numbers that perhaps deserve a better record than his 1-4-0 start would suggest.  Carter Clafton has post a 2-3-1 record with numbers that were hurt by a bad weekend against North Iowa.  In his first four starts of the season the veteran netminder was 2-1-1 with a 2.23 GAA and .918 SV%.  For the Bruins Hudson Hodges has carried the load as the goalie of record in eight of the Bruins first 11 games including both against the Tauros.  Overall he has posted a 6-1-1 record on a .896 SV% and 2.45 GAA.  Nikola Goich has been the Bruins’ backup so far but is 2-1-0 in his three starts on a 2.00 GAA and .920 SV%.

Promotions

Friday – The Minotauros debut the 28 Tastes and Taps happy hour in the Bar Room with beer specials starting a 6:30 running until the start of warmups.

Saturday – The Minotauros Booster Club is hosting their annual Trunk-or-Treat Tailgate Party starting at 5:00.  Then once doors open at 6:30 The Sports Shaq will be giving the first 500 fans through the doors a collectors strip of Tauros trading cards.  Then after the game Skate with the Tauros returns! The Tauros players will be on the ice for 30 minutes after the game to skate with fans, take pictures, and sign autographs.

Tickets

Avoid the lines at the box office and buy your tickets now through the Tickets tab atop this page or by clicking here for Friday or here for Saturday’s game.