BLAINE, Minn. — Elmira lost its first of three NAHL Showcase games today to the Minot Minotauros.
Neither side built a significant advantage through 40 minutes of play. The Aviators (2-3) held a 1-0 and a 2-1 lead, but neither lasted long. The third period belonged to the Minotauros (2-1), who scored three times for a 5-3 win.
“We had a good start, we made some mistakes that cost us, and we need to stay disciplined in crucial moments. It's a quick turnaround, so we need to refocus for tomorrow.”
In the first period forward Adam Kurka netted his first career NAHL goal, set up by his linemates Matt Maglio and Cael Primanti. Minot responded just over three minutes later with a goal from forward Artyom Zhukov.
The Aviators power play continued to find goals. Forward Cruz Ferguson scored his third power-play goal of the year in the second, assisted by Matt Maglio. Just under four minutes later the Minotauros responded again, this time with a goal from forward Philip Wiklund.
Minot took a lead early in the third on a power-play goal from Zach Palik. Timofei Korober tied it for Elmira, but after that the Minotauros were the only ones to score for the rest of the game. The go-ahead goal was a shot from captain Dane Ramirez that hit a screen in front and rattled into the net. The Aviators got a power play to try and tie it and pulled goaltender J.D Low for the extra skater. Instead, Minot forward Briggs Knott sniped the empty net from his own defensive zone.
“Tough loss today after a back and forth game in which I thought we played pretty solid. We have to find more consistency in our game defensively as well. The beauty of this league is that we have a game in less than 24 hours to bounce back.”
The Aviators take on the 4-0 Corpus Christi IceRays tomorrow. Puck drop is set for 1:45 p.m. Central, 2:45 p.m. Eastern.
Story by Kevin Broderick. Every date, home and away, is on the full 2026-27 schedule.