MINOT, ND – A late third period goal was the difference maker Friday night as the Minot Minotauros (10-2-0-0, 20 pts) edged out the Austin Bruins (6-5-1-0, 12 pts) 2-1.
The Tauros’ power play continued its momentum from last weekend, striking on their second opportunity in the first period. Mario Fate found the back of the net at 14:51 for his third power play goal in two games to take a 1-0 lead.
Minot didn’t hold onto that lead long, as Hugo Thulin battled over the blue line and cut towards the net before flipping the puck over Lukas Hoglind’s shoulder for the equalizer just 1:23 seconds later.
The second period was Minot dominated with the Tauros outshooting the Black and Gold 11-4 in the middle frame. Bruins goalie Dilans Birkans stood tall, stopping all eleven shots to keep it equal at one.
With two separate chances on the power play in the third period, the Bruins were unable to take the lead. Austin’s power play struggles continued throughout the game with the team finishing 0-4 with the extra skater.
Minot found their game winner with just over two minutes left in regulation, with Briggs Knott slipping a pass to Lucca Ori, who buried it by Birkins for the eventual game winner.
Birkans finished a solid performance in net stopping 26 of 28 shots he faced to keep the Bruins in the game.
The Black and Gold look for revenge Saturday night in Minot with puck drop scheduled for 7:35pm.
