The Bismarck Bobcats had a three-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to an 8-1 win over the Minot Minotauros.

Bismarck got the win thanks to a great game by Chris Diver, who had one goal and two assists. Diver scored on the power play 4:52 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Bismarck. The Bobcats had gotten the advantage when Minot's Zack Holstrom was sent off for tripping. Joe Giordano picked up the assist.

The Minotauros' 12 penalties came back to haunt them, as Minot let up four goals while on the penalty kill.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 19:36 into the third period. Three fighting penalties were dished out along with three game misconducts.

Bismarck stifled the Minotauros' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The Bobcats bested their season scoring average. Bismarck averages 3.0 goals per game. The Bobcats got an offensive boost from their blueliners, who contributed three goals during the game. Bismarck put 40 shots on net during the contest, more than the 24.8 it averages per game.

Bismarck additionally got points from Seth Blair, who also finished with two goals and two assists to lead the team in points, Levi Blom, who also tallied one goal and one assist, Matt Pohlkamp, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Giordano, who also racked up one goal and one assist, and Patrick Moore, who also finished with one goal and two assists. Nate Repensky also scored for Bismarck. In addition, Bismarck received assists from Stanislav Dzakhov, Evan Giesler, and Filip Starzynski, who each chipped in one and Bob Kinne and Cory Chapman, who contributed two a piece.

Minot forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up 11 minors and one major for 77 minutes in penalty time. The Minotauros had been averaging 21.0 minutes in penalties per game. Minot did not challenge the opposing netminder, totaling only 12 shots on net to force 11 saves. The shot total fell below the Minotauros' season average of 21.1 shots per game.

Minot was led by Matt Audette, who scored the team's only goal. Audette scored 6:19 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Bismarck. Cody Milligan assisted on the tally.

Aaron Nelson took the win and made 10 saves before being replaced by Bryan Nies who made one save. The Bobcats ended with 25 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major. Ryan Ruck rejected 32 shots on goal for the Minotauros. Minot registered zero goals on three power play opportunities. The Minotauros ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Denis Dalidovich was ejected from the game.