Storyline
The Tauros meet the Bobcats for just the second time in the Robertson Cup Playoffs. The Tauros swept the only other meeting three games to none during the 2015 postseason. The Tauros took the season series this year as well 7-5 including three of the final four meetings. The Tauros are 11-1-0 in the Maysa Arena against the Bobcats over the last two seasons including winning all six meetings in the Magic City this season.
Tauros
The Tauros come in riding a three-game winning streak and the number two seed in the Central Division with a 36-21-3 record overall. David Raisanen became the seven 50 point man in Minotauros history to lead the team in scoring with 24 goals and 26 assists. Raisanen, along with Keenan Lund, Wilmer Skoog, Didrik Henbrant, and Taylor Lantz each had four goals against the Cats this season to tie for the team lead. Lantz led the team with 11 points overall against Bismarck. Overall the Tauros had the fourth ranked offense in the league scoring 3.45 goals per game and eighth in defense with allowing just 2.68 per game.
In goal Nicholas Grabko had five of the Tauros seven wins against Bismarck going 5-3-0 with a 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% against the Cats on the season. Overall on the year Grabko finished a 20-11-1 record on a 2.68 GAA and .913 SV%. Ben Garrity had better overall numbers on the season going 15-10-2 with a 2.52 GAA and .917 SV% but did not perform as well against the Bobcats going 2-2-0 with a 2.77 GAA and .902 SV%. The coaching staff has yet to announce a starter for Game One of the series.
Bobcats
The Bobcats finished third overall in the Central with a 34-21-5 record including a 5-4-3 record against the Tauros. Adam Stacho led the Cats with 51 points on 17 goals and 34 assists. Sam Malinski (45 points), Alex Pollock (43 points), Austin Jouppi (41 points), and Ryan Taylor (32 points), round out their top five scorers. The Cats offense was top heavy compared to the Tauros with just six players reaching the 30 point mark while the Tauros had 11. Joupi led all goal scores in the season series with five, and his 11 points against the Tauros was the most of any Bobcat.
In goal John Roberts took the lions share of the starts for the Cats. With 50 games played on the season John Roberts was arguably the best goaltender in the Central Division. The Bobcats ranked 14th in the league in shots against but just 10th in goals allowed per game thanks to Roberts. Bismarck’s MVP finished the season 28-17-4 with a 2.40 GAA and .925 SV%.
Tickets and Promotions
The Tauros have launched a new Hat Trick Ticket for the playoffs with a very limited supply. The ticket includes prime center ice seating in sections 103 or 104, a Qdoba buffet in the MACF room, and a beer ticket. Ticket for both Games One and Two are going fast so get yours online through the tickets tab atop this page to avoid a line a the box office.