by: Andrew Lennox, gotauros.com
Minot, N.D. – Following a sweep of the Austin Bears just one week prior, the Minot Minotauros embarked on the final weekend of March, riding an impressive eight-game winning streak. Leading the Central Division, the Tauros faced the fifth-place St. Cloud Norsemen, eager to secure crucial points for a playoff berth.
Friday’s clash started with the Norsemen drawing first blood as Gavin Gunderson found the net with a slick backhand shot from the high slot, slipping it past Minot’s netminder, Brady James, at 11:52 of the period, taking a 1-0 lead. However, the Tauros wasted no time in responding. At 13:42, Cayden Casey notched his 11th goal of the season, aided by Murray Marvin-Cordes and Jacob Ingstrup, who earned his first point in the NAHL. With 4:21 remaining in the first frame, Joe Lehtinen extended Minot’s lead to 2-1, deflecting Rylan Jockims’ shot from the point, with Will Dawson securing the secondary assist.
The second period saw the Tauros maintaining their narrow lead until St. Cloud’s Hagen Moe capitalized on a power play opportunity, leveling the score at 2-2 with just 50 seconds left. This marked the end of Minot’s impressive streak of killing off 15 straight opponents’ power plays. However, the Tauros countered quickly, with Jordan Gibbs scoring on a difficult shot after the puck bounced off the backboards onto his stick just below the circles with just two seconds left before the second period concluded. Jack O’Hanisian provided the assist for his 30th this season.
10 seconds into the final 20 minutes of regulation, the Tauros surged ahead, capitalizing on a 3-on-2 rush from the opening center ice draw. John Emmons found Adam Mahler with a beautiful pass as he was positioned at the top of the circles. Mahler then unleashed a blistering wrister to beat Norsemen goalie Ryan Manzella. Minot’s 4-2 lead disappeared quickly just under five minutes later, with Norsemen’s forward Hudson Blue cashing in on a rebound off a shot from the point to cut the Tauros lead. St. Cloud continued to press, but the Tauros secured the 4-3 victory and earned their ninth consecutive win.
Saturday’s matchup presented an opportunity for Minot to etch their name in franchise history with a 10th consecutive victory. Unfortunately, like Friday, the Norsemen struck first. Michael Coleman scored the first goal, notching his 19th season tally with 6:02 left in the opening period. Neither team scored in the middle frame, and the Norsemen headed into the second intermission, holding onto a 1-0 lead.
Despite dominating the remainder of the contest and outshooting the Norsemen 16-4 in the final 20 minutes, Minot struggled to capitalize on several prime scoring opportunities and ultimately lost 2-1. Although the Tauros’ nine-game winning streak came to an end, they salvaged two points, splitting the weekend series with St. Cloud.