By Sean Williams, www.gotauros.com
Minot, N.D. – Following a much-deserved break, the Minot Minotauros are back in action this weekend and it will be a busy one with three games scheduled. Not only that, it will be a really important weekend as the Tauros are scheduled to host the Bismarck Bobcats on Friday and Saturday at 7:35 p.m., before heading south to face the same Bobcats on Sunday at 7:15 p.m.
Aside from the fun of it being a rivalry, the Tauros and Bobcats currently occupy first and second place in the Central Division to add more fuel to the fire. The Tauros have the edge currently, entering play with 43 points and a record of 21-6-1, and the Bobcats have 36 points and a record of 18-10-0. Although seven points separate these two teams, the Bobcats have played well against the Tauros this year and the last time they met, the Bobcats ended a six game winning streak the Tauros were on.
Having played only twice this year, Minot is looking to right the ship against their rivals, as they have yet to beat Bismarck up to this point. It wasn’t for a lack of effort, however, as there has been no shortage of scoring when these two teams have taken the ice. In the two games played, the Tauros are averaging 4.5 goals per game and allowing 5.5 goals per game.
Jack O’Hanisain, Weston Knox, Niklas Ketonen, John Emmons, Trevor Stachowiak, Colby Bear, Jordan Gibbs, and Colby Woogk all lit the lamp at least once against Bismarck thus far, as the Tauros will need to continue utilizing a balanced approach in the offensive zone while they look to flip the script against their in-state rivals. Bismarck, however, has been able to match that scoring ability with Kade Kohanski, Jakub Kopecky, Matthew Rafalski, Chase Beacom, Evan Hunter, Tommy Cronin, Carter Comier, Luke Roelofs, and Patrick Johnson all finding the back of the net at least once against Minot.