MINOT, N.D. – In a game where the bounces just didn’t go the Bruins way, the Minotauros took down Austin 2-0.
The opening period moved at a frenzied pace with the puck going back and forth from end to end, each team getting their chances. Halfway through the first, Joseph Harguindeguy perfectly redirected a shot over Kyle McClellan’s shoulder to give the Minotauros a 1-0 lead.
That lead held through the second period and well into the third thanks to strong netminding by the Minotauros, Ben Garrity. On the other side, McClellan battled to keep the Bruins in the game turning aside point-blank shot after bullrush after one-timer.
Despite the hard work, the Bruins fell into a deeper hole late in the third period. Kevin Ness muscled his way in the Bruins zone, toe-dragging around several Bruins defenseman. His first shot was stoned cold by McClellan but in the mad rush that ensued, Ness was able to find the back of the net and put the home-team ‘Tauros up 2-0.
Austin pulled McClellan with less than two minutes to go, but to no avail, as the Minotauros held on for their fourth win of the season over the Bruins.
With the win, Minot improved to 20-16-1-0, while the Bruins dropped to 21-11-0-4. The two teams will meet again tomorrow night for an encore at Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena. Austin returns home to Riverside Arena on Saturday, February 2 for the 9th Annual Paint the Rink Pink Game. Tickets for Paint the Rink Pink are on sales now at all the Bruins vendors including Games People Play, Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, and Jim’s Marketplace.
