Robert Brewer/MDN Minot's Damon Zimmer (72) jostles with a Bismarck player for control of the puck behind the Bobcats net in a tough and physical first period at the Maysa on Friday night.

The Minot Minotauros went into Friday night’s contest against visiting Bismarck looking to end its six-game slide.

The first period was a hard hitting, physical contest. Despite the heavy contact on the ice, it was a penalty-free affair for the game’s first 19 minutes.

Minot’s offense applied pressure on the Bismarck defense throughout a large portion of the frame. The Minotauros’ aggressiveness paid off as forward Ethan Schmunk drew first blood at the 12-minute mark on his fifth goal of the season. Meanwhile fellow forward Logan Anderson was credited with the assist on the play.

Unfortunately for Tauros fans, that lead was short lived as the Bobcats answered back with a goal inside a minute to go before the first intermission. The game’s first penalty occurred with six seconds remaining in the period as Bismarck’s Robert Kincaid was whistled for tripping.

Although the Tauros did not score on the ensuing power player, Cade Stibbe notched Minot’s second score of the evening at the 6:24 mark of the second. His seventh goal of the year, Stibbe was assisted by Tyler Kostelecky and Cole Stofflet. Once again, Bismarck answered back with a goal of its own later in the period to make the score 2-2 midway through the second.

The Tauros eventually added two late goals in the third to take the game 4-3.

MSU beats Jimmies 3-1 on the road; women’s games canceled

In other local hockey news on Friday, the Minot State men’s team extended its unbeaten streak to 14 games by virtue of a 3-1 road win over the Jamestown Jimmies. Drew Carter, Paul O’Connor and Carter Barley each scored a goal for the Beavers in the win. MSU now leads the season series 8-3 against Jamestown and is scheduled to host the University of Mary on Saturday.

Meanwhile for the Minot State women’s club, their two-game weekend series against Dakota College at Bottineau was canceled. Having last played Midland in a 3-2 victory on Feb. 26, the Beavers plan to play their next games at home against McKendree University on March 19 and 20.