Aberdeen, SD – The Minot Minotauros had a record night at the Odde Ice Center against the Aberdeen Wings. Winners of 13 in a row on the road the Minotauros were looking to tie the NAHL record for consecutive road wins. Despite 4-1-2 record against the Wings entering the game the Tauros knew the record would not come easy as all but one of the games this season has been decided by just one goal.
The Tauros got off to a bad start with Tanner Holmes allowing goals on the second and third shots that he faced. The result was Atte Tolvanen coming on in relief just 9:09 into the game. Tauros head coach Marty Murray said the change was not just about the play of Holmes, “the first [goal] was a deflection and the second [goal] came off of a turnover, Tanner has been great for us all year”
Not long after Aberdeen took the 2-0 lead they started taking penalties shifting the momentum back to the Minotauros. Colin O’Neil was whistled for a double minor and a game ejection for spearing just 18 seconds after Aberdeen’s second goal. The Tauros were unable to cash in on the extended power play, and failed to score on another power play five minutes later and trailed 2-0 heading into the first intermission.
The second period saw the Tauros push the play outshooting the Wings 16-6 in the frame. After failing to score on their fourth power play of the game the Tauros: still trailed 2-0 late in the middle period. Blake Lizotte finally solved Chad Catt at the 18:13 mark for his 11th goal of the season. The goal also gave Lizotte 41 points on the season, topping the old record of 40 points Jake O’Borsky in the 2012-13 season. Just 16 seconds after Lizotte’s goal John Snodgrass scored his ninth of the season to tie the game at two headed into the third period.
Play evened up in the third but with 6:41 left to play the Tauros Tim Athley scored his third of the season to give the Tauros a 3-2 lead. Jared Brandt then took a cross checking penalty with just over five minutes to play, but the Tauros defense clamped down and never let the Wings set up their power play to preserve the lead. From there the Tauros would hold on for the win. Murray said the final 50 minutes of the game “was some of the best hockey we have played in a while.”
The win was the Tauros 14th in a row away from the Maysa Arena which ties the record held by the 2008/09 Topeka Roadrunners. The Tauros will try to get the record 15th in a row when they go for the sweep tomorrow night in Aberdeen. Tomorrow night's game, like all Minotauros games will be available streaming online at fasthockey.com. The Tauros return home for a pair of games with the Minnesota Magicians on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets for upcoming Minotauros home games are available by clicking the "Tickets" tab atop this page.