Minot, ND – The Minotauros host the Aberdeen Wings this weekend in a battle of bitter rivals on the Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena. The Tauros sit in second place in the Central Division with 14 points while the Wings are just two points back and in fourth.
The Tauros come in off of a weekend sweep of the first place North Iowa Bulls extending their win streak to four games. Reigning Central Division Star of the Week Hunter Longhi leads the club with five goals and nine helpers. Nick O’Hanisain leads all NAHL defensemen with five goals, his 11 total points is second among league defensemen. Colby Joseph led Tauro returners with eight points against Aberdeen last season.
The Wings meanwhile are led by Nikolai Tishkevich who has seven goals and five assists. Ronan Walsh had 10 points against the Tauros last season, the most of any returning Wing, on eight goals and two helpers.
In goal the Tauros Lawton Zacher recorded his first junior shutout in his last start and then celebrated by committing to NCAA DI Brown University. Through seven starts Zacher has posted a .947 SV% and 1.57 GAA leading to a 6-1-0 record. Dane Couture earned his first Tauro win on Saturday night and has played well in all three starts ironically losing both of his first two starts in which he allowed just one goal; while he did allow three in his lone win two came in the final minute of the game with the Bulls using an extra attacker. Like Zacher, Cole Moore, has seen most of the action in goal for his team playing nine of the Wings 12 games he has posted a 4-3-2 record on a 3.06 GAA and .911 SV%.
Aside from hockey this weekend the Minotauros Booster Club is hosting its annual Trunk-or-Treat Tailgate Party on Saturday. This weekend is also the final weekend of the Circle Sanitation “Fill-the-Bin” coat drive; fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used winter clothing item to donate to those in need in the Minot area. Tickets for this weekend’s games are available under the “Tickets” tab atop this page as well as by clicking here.