The Minnesota Magicians (14-17-4) traveled to North Dakota over the weekend for a series against the Minot Minotauros (18-16-3). After falling in a close game on Friday night at Maysa Arena, the Magicians were able to rebound and win on Saturday to pick up 2 points on the crucial weekend. Upcoming this week, Minot will come to town for a 2-game set at Richfield Ice Arena.
Game Recaps:
Friday:
The Magicians wasted no time getting acclimated at Maysa Arena in Minot on Friday night, as Casey Jerry found the back of the net less than a minute into the first period to silence the home crowd. Pierce Crawford got the lone assist on the goal. At the halfway mark of the period Minot was able to answer with a goal of their own, but Pierce Crawford answered for the Magicians a short time later with a goal assisted by Kyle Wagner and Jake Cass.
In the second, the only scoring came from Minot a minute into the period. In the third, the two teams battled to break the 2-2 tie, and it looked as though the game might head into over time before the Minotauros were able to beat Magicians goaltender Daniil Gerasimov to pull ahead with just over a minute to go in the game. The Magicians were unable to even up the score in the waning seconds and walked away from the game with a disappointing defeat. Gerasimov made 28 saves on 31 shots while taking the loss.
Saturday:
On Saturday night, the Magicians had to wait until the second period to get the scoring started. After a scoreless first frame, Johnny Panvica scored a goal assisted by Jake Cass and Kyle Wagner at the midway point of the second. The Minotauros were able to answer with a goal of their own, but the Magicians struck back again when Pierce Crawford lit the lamp with less than a minute to go in the period. Peter Karavos and Joe Nathe assisted on the goal that gave the Magicians a 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
In the third period, the Magicians continued to build on their lead. First, Brady Heppner scored less than a minute into the period assisted by Nick McKeeby and Casey Jerry. A short time later, Pierce Crawford stayed hot with another goal, this time assisted by Brady Heppner and Casey Jerry. Then with a 4-1 lead and a powerplay, Travis Brown scored an unassisted goal to make it 5-1. Two successive Minotauros goals made it interesting down the stretch, but Brady Heppner sealed a 6-3 Magicians victory with an empty net goal assisted by Braxton Collins and Peter Karavos. Goaltender Will Ulrich made the start, stopping 35 of 38 shots in the victory.
Up next for the Magicians is another 2-game set with Minot. This time, the Minotauros will come to Richfield Ice Arena for games on Friday and Saturday of this week.