by Tessa Deemer
MINOT, ND. (November 29-30th, 2024) — After the holiday, the Shamrocks record now stands at 3-18-2-1. The Minot Minotauros are ranked third in the conference with a record of 15-6-1-0.
Game 1 – November 29th, 2024
Game one was off to a slow start as the period remained scoreless until the 10:52 mark when Davin Nichols hit one home for the Minotauros to open the scoring. A dangerous hit from Brandon Funk led the Shamrocks to a powerplay opportunity mere moments later. Then a short 7 seconds into the powerplay, the Shamrocks bounced back with a goal from Ryan Gingher, tying things up 1-1. The tie game did not last long, as an even strength goal from Jesse Juhola gave the Minotauros the lead once more 45 seconds after Gingher had tied the game. In the final minutes of the period, the Shamrocks faltered. A Zach Boren penalty paved way for a Minotauros powerplay goal at 17:15 from Billy Batten. Then another goal from the Minotauros via Jack Edwards came less than a minute later to turn in a 4-1 advantage for Minot after the first period.
The second period was scoreless, but the action was focused in and out of the penalty box. Each side recorded three penalties as Minot outshot Watertown 15-7 in the period, but to no avail.
The third period did not disappoint as the physicality rose. At 3:40, Spencer Sasenbury and Minotauro Davin Nichols were both called for fighting, Nichols also received a 5-minute major for head contact for a hit on Shamrock forward Joe Rice which prompted Sasenbury to step in. Despite the elongated powerplay, the Shamrocks could not convert. But, shortly after the expiration of the powerplay, Owen Chartier scored at with just under eight minutes to play with assists from William Shephard and Zach Boren to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Despite a late push from the Shamrocks, they could not get past Minot goaltender Will Mizenko a third or fourth time. Mizenko closed out the night with 42 saves on 44 Shamrock shots in an eventual 5-2 win. Shamrocks’ goaltender, Phileas Lachat recorded 33 saves on 37 shots on net.
Game 2 – November 30th, 2024
Shamrocks led the first period with shots 10-4, coming out with another strong period after playing well the night prior. Feeding the flame, Cam Markham snuck home a rebound early to give the Shamrocks the lead at 6:32. Not going down without a fight, John Small tied things up for the Minotauros at just over two minutes later. The Shamrocks ended the period with a roughing penalty on Ryan Gingher at 18:41.
Like the night prior, the second period was scoreless, but Minot started to tilt the ice more in their favor outshooting Watertown 14-6.
The final period saw both teams throw 13 shots on net. After missing on several quality scoring chances, the Shamrocks faced a penalty kill after a high-sticking call on defenseman Will Shephard. The Minotauros top ranked powerplay was able to take full advantage of the the late game opportunity with a goal from Jack O’Hanisain at with 4:21 left in the game. The Shamrocks went for broke and pulled goaltender Phileas Lachat, but Small was able to bury a puck into the empty net and seal a 3-1 victory.
In net, Lachat tallied 28 saves on 30 shots after regulation, while Minotauros’ goaltender Lukas Swedin saved 28 of 29 shots to finish the weekend.
The Shamrocks will be back on home ice this weekend at Prairie Lakes Ice Arena as they face the Bismarck Bobcats December 6-7th, both games are set to start at 7 p.m. CST. You can find both match-ups on NAHL.tv or tune in live on Star 98.1.