Following the same computer programming code that allowed North Dakota Warthogs to score the opening goal in Game 1, the virtual Minot Minotauros jumped out to a 1-0 lead in Game 2 against the Aberdeen “South Dakota” Wings on Friday afternoon.

NHL18, however, wasn’t going to allow the Minotauros to take a 2-0 series lead back to digital Pepsi Rink at Maysa Arena. A pair of goals from Spencer Schneider lifted the Wings to a 3-1 win to even the first-round series.

Despite being a video game simulation, the Minot Minotauros (or as the in-game commentators referred to them as the North Dakota Warthogs) still generated plenty of fan support and interactions across social media.

Minotauros play-by-play announcer Ken Oda was joined by Minotauros game day operations manager Peter Theodos to provide commentary over the YouTube live stream. Jokes, banter and real-life updates were plentiful.

A little over five minutes in, Cade Stibbe scored Minot’s first and only goal in Game 2 with a one-time slapshot from the left circle.

Schneider pushed across a rebound in the crease for the equalizer with 11:26 left in the second period. He beat Minotauros goaltender Ben Garrity to another rebound with 5:05 remaining.

Mack Byers slipped in an empty-net goal with 0.3 seconds left to cap the score at 3-1.

Game 3 will be broadcasted at 6 p.m. Sunday on the NAHL’s YouTube channel.