Blizzard blank Minotauros, 3-0

Posted

Brookings – The Blizzard salvaged a Central Division split with Minot as the home team shut out the Minotauros, 3-0, on Saturday night at Larson Ice Center.

After a scoreless first period, Connor Koviak lit the lamp with 4 minutes left in the second to spot the Blizzard a 1-0 lead heading into the final frame. Gabriel Wahl and Nolan Turi set up the goal.

With less than 8 minutes to play in the game, Josh Boyer netted a short-handed goal to push the Blizzard’s advantage to 2-0 as Vince Marino and Ryan Dickinson picked up the assists.

Boyer added an empty-net tally inside of a minute to play as Koviak earned the helper for the 3-0 final.

Minot held a 36-27 edge in shots on goal as Adam Brizgala stopped all 36 shots that he faced for the shutout win.

Brookings improved to 19-25-2-4 with 44 points as the Minotauros dropped to 21-22-4-2 with 48 points.

The Blizzard travel to Austin for a two-game set with the Bruins on Friday and Saturday night. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. both nights at Riverside Arena.

BROOKINGS 3, MINOT 0

Minot 0  0  0  –  0

Brookings 0  1  2  –  3

First Period

Scoring: None. Penalties: B, Cameron Teamor (High Sticking-Double Minor), 10:11; B, Connor Koviak (Slashing), 4:01; M, Alex Adams (Roughing), 3:17.

Second Period

Scoring: 1. Brookings – Connor Koviak (Gabriel Wahl, Nolan Turi), 4:05. Penalties: M, Miroslav Mucha (High Sticking), 17:15; B, Josh Boyer (Slashing), 8:27; M, Alex Adams (Slashing), 8:03; B, Max Sasson (Interference), 3:19.

Third Period

Scoring: 2. Brookings – Josh Boyer (Vince Marino, Ryan Dickinson), sh, 7:46. 3. Brookings – Josh Boyer (Connor Koviak), en, 0:48. Penalties: M, Rykr Cole (Checking from Behind), 19:26; B, Max Sasson (Slashing), 9:17; M, Austin Dollimer (Cross Checking), 4:35; B, Ryan Dickinson (Cross Checking), 4:35.

Shots on Goal: M 13-13-10 – 36; B 5-10-12 – 27. Saves: M, Jack Robbel 24-26; B, Adam Brizgala 36-36.

Register photo: The defensive duo of Parker Revering (3) and Carson Kosobud (24) battle a trio of Minot players as goalie Adam Brizgala is covered up during a penalty kill in the first period of the Blizzard’s 3-0 win over the Minotauros on Saturday night at Larson Ice Center.