Minot, ND – The Minotauros picked up a win in their only game of the weekend knocking off the St. Cloud Norsemen 3-1 on Sunday night on the Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena. The win saw the Tauros jump both the Norsemen and Aberdeen Wings in the standings in the tight NAHL Central Division.
The Tauros controlled the first period outshooting the Norsemen 19-11 and earning three power play opportunities. Cooper Rice opened the scoring for the Tauros just 4:05 in with his third of the season tapping home a rebound with the Tauros on the power play.
Despite being shorthand and playing their third game in as many nights Norsemen would push back outshooting the Tauros 25-14 the rest of the way but goaltender Lawton Zacher protected the lead. Braden Fischer doubled the Tauros lead 3:00 into the third after Hunter Longhi stole a puck near the blue line and sent Fischer in alone.
After it appeared that the Norsemen pulled back within one late in the third they eventually did break through ending Zacher’s shutout bid with a power play goal with just 38 seconds remaining. Chase LaPinta however scored his first Tauro goal into the empty net seconds later to restore the Tauros two-goal lead for a 3-1 final.
Next up for the Tauros is a road trip to Mason City, Iowa to take on the North Iowa Bulls. The game can be watched on HockeyTV, a full season pass is just $149.99. Fans can listen to free audio broadcasts on the Tauros Facebook page, Mixlr, gotauros.com, or in the Tauros Hockey App.