The NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs have gone to a digital dimension.

With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the rest of the real NAHL regular season and postseason, the league has decided to put on a virtual rendition of the tournament through a video game.

“Using an XBox One and the EA Sports NHL video game, the NAHL staff constructed the rosters of the 16 NAHL teams from scratch that would have qualified for the Robertson Cup Playoffs this season based on winning percentage when the season was canceled. (Note: Team names may not be 100% accurate as it does not allow for certain city names),” the NAHL said in a news release. “The entirety of the virtual Robertson Cup Playoffs will be played down until a 2020 Virtual Robertson champion is crowned on Tuesday, May 12th, which would have been the day the actual Robertson Cup champion would have been crowned. (Note: The actual Robertson Cup will not be awarded to the virtual champion. This is for entertainment purposes only).”

Four opening round games were simulated on Wednesday and streamed on the North American Hockey League’s YouTube channel. All games will be completed in “Simulation Mode,” which means the XBox computer simulates and plays the game to determine the outcome.

The Minot Minotauros (or the “North Dakota Warthogs” as the in-game commentators referred to them) took on the Aberdeen Wings (the “South Dakota Wings”) in Game 1 of the virtual Central Division opening round.

Minotauros Director of Operations Ken Oda live-tweeted the action on the Minotauros’ Twitter account, just like he would have for any other real game.

Less than a minute in, Jay Buchholz gave Minot an early 1-0 lead. But Aberdeen scored four straight goals to take a commanding lead.

A pair of second-period goals from Braeden Bartoo and Cole O’Connell got Minot within a goal after the second period, 4-3. Bartoo scored again on a backdoor pass to net the equalizer with 7:30 left in regulation.

Working a 5-on-3 power play to perfection, the Minotauros scored the game-winning goal with 1:20 remaining. Buchholz scored his second goal of the game with assists coming from Andranik Armstrong-Kingkade and Kyler Kleven.

Goaltender Ben Garrity made one last glove save to secure the come from behind win. The Warthogs, check that, the Minotauros outshot the Wings 46-35 on their way to taking a 1-0 series lead.

Virtual Game 2 will be streamed at 2 p.m. Friday on the NAHL’s YouTube channel.

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