By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – Last season the Minotauros won seven games… total; tonight in Bismarck the streaking Tauros have a chance to push their winning streak to that same total. A win would also get the red hot Tauros back to the break even mark at 12-12-1 on the season. The Bobcats have been also bounced back from a slow start going 6-3-1 over their last 10 games pulling them to 13-11-2.
The Bobcats have been lead all year by Patrick Moore (8g 18a) and Adam Knockenmus (10g 15a). Joe Giordano and Matt Anders each have a Bobcat best goal and an assist against the Tauros in the two meetings between the clubs thus far. In net, Aaron Nelson and Bryan Nies have split time. Nelson gives up almost a full goal per game less than Nies, but both have struggled against the Tauros combining to allow eight goals against over the two meetings.
For the Tauros the recipe has been a balanced offensive attack paired with stellar goaltending. In the 11 wins the Tauros have on the season 11 different players have been credited with the game winning goal. With 12 points in the last 10 games Jadin Martin has pulled into a tie with Jake O’Borsky to lead the Tauros with 20 apiece. The pair also lead the Tauros against the Bobcats with a goal and three assists each against Bismarck. Tyler Parks and Tauros defense also continue to frustrate opposing teams. Over the last 10 games the Tauros have allowed only 26 shots per game and Parks has allowed only 2.12 GAA in his nine appearances.
Player to Watch: Jake O’Borsky has been held without a point in each of the last two games. That has only happened once before since he joined the Tauros and he followed that streak up with a four point game in Wenatchee.
Watch the Game: The game can be seen on fasthockey.com with puck drop at 7:15 p.m. Saturday night's game in Aberdeen will also be the December Buffalo Wings and Rings Road Watch Party. Doors open at 6:30 and puck drop is at 7:00.