Showcase Champs

Sep 24, 2016

Blaine, MN – The Minot Minotauros won a thriller on Saturday night to finish the 2016 NAHL Showcase as the only undefeated team.  The Tauros never led Fairbanks in regulation as the battled back from three one-goal deficits to force overtime and eventually won in the fifth round of the shootout to claim the Showcase crown.

The Ice Dogs were the only team to score in the first period as Cayden Cahill beat Lucas Murray when left alone in front of the net.  Zack Bross scored his first of two second period goals just 3:52 into the period on a net-mouth scramble, Austin Dollimer was credited with an assist.  Luke Orysiuk put Fairbanks ahead for a second time at 13:57 but Bross scored again from the doorstep on another scramble in front and the game entered the third even 2-2.

Colton Fletcher converted on a turnover right in front of the Tauro net to give Fairbanks their third lead of the night; but the Tauros Jack Murphy answered driving to the front of Fairbanks net to tie the game 3-3.   The Tauros would draw two penalties in the final five minutes but could not score on the prolonged power play which included 28 seconds of 5-on-3.  Then the Dogs got a power play opportunity of their own with 2 seconds in regulation that would carry over to the overtime.

The Tauros killed off Dollimer’s hooking call and the teams each traded breakaway chances in the overtime but neither could convert so the game went to a shootout.  Cahill scored for the Dogs in the first round and it took until the third for Derek Frentz to answer for the Tauros.  The fourth round passed without scoring and Dollimer opened the fifth round with a goal low to the glove side on C.J. Booth.  With the game on the line Murray stopped Hampus Erikkson and the Tauros won to claim the 2016 NAHL Showcase crown.

Next up for the Tauros they return to the Maysa Arena for the home opener against the Aberdeen Wings on Friday night.  The puck drop is at 7:35 on Friday night. Tickets are available by clicking the “Tickets” tab.

DASH Auctions: Bidding for the autographed Showcase Goal Scorers Puck series is still open on the Dash App.  Next up will be a chance to watch the home opener from the press box on Friday night! Download DASH Digital Auction Showdown at www.dashapp.io or search Dash Auctions in the app store.