In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Minot Minotauros escaped with a 6-4 victory over the Bismarck Bobcats.

No lead was more than two goals during the contest, and the winning goal was scored by Jon Lizotte at 17:06 of the third period.

Minot was sparked by Lizotte, who tallied one goal.

In the losing effort, Bismarck was paced by Cullen Willox, who registered two goals. Willox scored the first of his two goals at 19:28 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Bismarck. Tanner Salsberry provided the assist. Willox's next tally made the score 3-1 Bismarck with 4:19 left in the second period. Seth Blair picked up the assist.

The Minotauros found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. Minot has scored at the pace of 2.1 goals per game during the current campaign. The defensemen of the Minotauros were also effective in the Bobcats' zone, and came away with two goals. Minot's offense was clicking better than usual and put 34 shots on goal during the game, better than the 21.7 shots per game it averages.

Minot additionally got points from Tyler Shipstad, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Jacob Howie, who also had one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Minot included Johnny Walker, Cameron Rowat, and Colton Kramer, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Minot were Jake Johnson, Troy Degler, Alexander Kasitsyn, and Scott Dornbrock, who each chipped in one and Jake McCann and Kyle Kruenegel, who contributed two a piece.

Bismarck's defense let in more goals than it usually has this year. The Bobcats give up 2.4 goals per game. By firing 33 shots on goal, Bismarck exceeded the 29.6 shots it averages per game this year.

Bismarck also got points from Tyler Dunagan, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Stanislav Dzakhov also scored for Bismarck. More assists for Bismarck came via Dan Kovar, who had two and Evan Giesler, Filip Starzynski, and Matt Anders, who each chipped in one.

Brandon Wildung recorded 29 saves for the Minotauros. Minot incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. The Bobcats' Aaron Nelson stopped 28 shots out of the 33 that he faced. Bismarck incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.