Storyline
The Tauros returned to the top of the Central Division with a weekend sweep of the Austin Bruins. The Tauros return home to the Maysa Arena for a five game homestand, which will more than double the number of home games the Tauros have played this season. The Bismarck Bobcats also come in off an impressive road sweep of the Aberdeen Wings but remain in fourth place in the Central, three points behind the Wings and five points behind the Tauros.
Tauros
The Tauros are the only team in the top three of the league in both offense and defense averaging 3.83 goals for per game and just 2.17 goals against per contest. Keenan Lund leads the Tauros’ offense with six goals and 14 assists. Didrik Henbrant is second on the team with 10 goals and seven assists, he also leads the Tauros against the Bobcats with two goals and two assists in the previous four meetings. Defenseman Nick Strom (2g 9a) also has four points, all assists, against the Cats.
In net Nick Grabko allowed just one goal on the weekend and now sports the third best save percentage (.937) and seventh best GAA (2.09) in the NAHL. Grabko has started three of the four contests against the Bobcats going 2-1-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .932 SV%.
Bobcats
Bismarck comes in with the sixth ranked offense and twelfth ranked defense. Veteran forward Adam Stacho leads the Cats with 18 points on five goals and 13 assists. Defenseman Sam Malinski is second on the Bobcats and third overall among NAHL defensemen with six goals and nine assists for 15 points. Malinski leads all scorers in the Tauros/Bobcats series with five points (2g 3a).
John Roberts has been the man in net for Bismarck starting 15 of the Cats 16 games. Roberts is ranked 17th in goals against average at 2.51 and 11th in save percentage at .926.
Military Appreciation Night
The Minotauros will be celebrating Veterans Day on Monday and have donated 500 tickets to Minot Air Force Base which have been given to the squadron’s first shirts for distribution. All retired, reserve, active duty, and military family members with Military ID will get an additional $6 discount on tickets at the door brining military tickets to just $5.
Additionally the Minotauros will have the Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard on hand to present the colors during the Star Spangled Banner. After the National Anthem Medal of Honor Recipient Clint Romesha and 5th Bomb Wing Vice Commander Colonel Sloan Hollis will participate in a ceremonial puck drop with the four Minotauros and Bobcats whom are committed to the United State Air Force Academy; Connor McGinnis, Keenan Lund, Jacob Marti, and Mitchell Walinski.
Lastly the Tauros will be wearing special military themed jerseys for Monday’s game as well as this weekend’s games against the Brookings Blizzard.