by: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Blaine, MN – The Minotauros will head home to Minot with just three points in the standings after dropping their last game in Blaine on Saturday afternoon. The team was unable to build off of the momentum of Friday’s 2-1 victory over Springfield and playing four games in as many days did not seem to have the energy to get back into the game once they were down.
The first period went well for the Tauros who outshot the opposition 8-6 and did not allow any true scoring opportunities against. The Warriors flipped the script however outshooting the Minotauros 15-4 in the middle frame en route to taking a 2-0 lead by the time 40 minutes had gone by. Colin Larkin at 6:46 and Scott Cuthrell at 18:03 were credited with the goals. Larkin’s goal came when Tauro netminder Brandon Wildung thought he had a puck underneath his pads, Larkin seemed to be the only player who saw it loose on the ice and hammered it home. Cuthrell’s score came off a pile up in the crease, during which his rebound was knocked in by the chaos of players crashing to the net. Larkin’s second of the game at 4:20 of the third iced the game away after his long shot snuck through Wildung.
The Tauros had their chances to come back including three third period power plays but were unable to beat Dillon Kelley. Minot’s futility on the power play has now reach 0-for-18 on the season.
Next up for the Tauros is a rematch with last season’s playoff opponent the Austin Bruins. Friday will be the home opener at the Maysa with a 7:35 puck drop, followed by round two on Saturday at 7:35 as well. Tickets for next weekend and all Tauros home games are available here, or by clicking the “tickets” tab atop this page.