Snow Time

Oct 22, 2014

By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com

Minot, ND – The Minotauros finally get to enjoy the comforts of home after playing nine of their first ten games away from the Maysa Arena the Tauros get five out of six in Minot.  They started the run with a 3-2 shootout win over the Austin Bruins last Saturday and now welcome the Brookings Blizzard to town for a pair this Friday and Saturday nights. 

Brookings is 4-4-3 on the season, however despite being .500 they sit in last place in the difficult Central Division.  Averaging 3.09 goals per game has the Blizzard ranked 11th in that category (tied with the Tauros) but they surrender 3.55 goals per game which is ranked 17th in the NAHL.  Almost a third of the Blizzard offense has come from the duo of Beau Michaud (5g, 11a) and Zach Glienke (7g, 4a).  In net Eric Hancock has received most of the work since the showcase and has posted a 2.47 GAA on a .905 SV%.

For the Tauros a 5-1-1 run since the end of the Showcase has the team at 7-3-1 on the season.  Minot won last year’s season series 7-5-0 and several veteran Tauros had strong performances against the Blizzard last year.  Jake Howie lead the Tauros with eight points on two goals and six assists and Troy Degler was second at seven points on a goal and six helpers.  Jon Lizotte had three goals and two assists from the blue line against the Blizzard last season.  Colton Kramer had a goal and an assist.  Lastly, Casey Johnson as an affiliate player posted three assists and a plus one rating in a pair of games against the Blizzard on the season’s final weekend.  This year the Tauros are lead by Blake Lizotte’s 11 points on a goal and ten assists.  His linemates Christian Mohs (5g, 5a) and Johnny Walker (6g, 3a) are second and third on the Tauros respectively.  In net Atte Tolvanen has carried the water for the Tauros playing all but two of the Tauros games to date posting a 1.95 GAA and .929 SV%.

Watch the Games: Both Friday and Saturday night’s games start at 7:35 p.m.  Tickets for this weekend’s games are still available by clicking here or on the “tickets” tab atop this page.  Fans coming to Friday night’s game should arrive early, First International Bank & Trust will be throwing a tailgate party with pizza and beer in the upper parking lot starting at 5:30 p.m. and running until puck drop.  For