Flying Start

Dec 26, 2013

by: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com

 

The Tauros enter the weekend at an even 14-14-3 on the season, but have been playing their best hockey of late going 12-4-1 since the start of November.  The run of good play has pulled the Minotauros within just five points of Aberdeen for third place in the Central Division.  The Wings meanwhile have gone 7-7-1 over that same span. This weekend could set the tone for the second half as the season as the Tauros could either pull within one point of the Wings or fall as far back as nine points.

 

Goaltending will most likely be the theme of the weekend as three of the previous six meetings between the two clubs have been shutouts for the winner; the other three games were all decided by one goal.  Aberdeen goaltender Chad Catt has posted a 1.59 GAA against the Tauros while Brandon Wildung has posted a 0.98 GAA against the Wings.

 

The Tauros offense against the Wings has been lead from the blue line with Kyle Kruenegel and Michael Bigelbach each have four poinst against the Wings.  Cam Rowat, who leads the Tauros with seven goals on the year but has yet to strike against the Wings while overall points leader Jake McCann has two of his six goals against Aberdeen.  Jonathan Grebosky has seven of his team second best 20 points against the Tauros this year.  The Tauros have kept leading scorer T.J. Roo mostly quiet holding him to just three assists in the season series.

 

The weekend series is a home and home set with Friday’s game in Aberdeen and Saturday’s meeting at the Maysa in Minot.  Aberdeen has been a difficult place to visit this season as the Wings are 10-2-2 at home.  The Tauros are an even 7-7-2 on the road and 7-7-1 at home.  Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available by clicking the tickets tab atop this page.