by: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Onalaska, WI – The Tauros had dominated the season series with the Coulee Region Chill scoring four goals in each of the teams’ first three meetings while surrendering just four goals total to the Chill. It appeared that the trend would continue on Friday night as the Tauros took a quick 2-0 lead. However Chill fought back to take a 4-2 lead before the end of the period and went on to win by the same margin. Saturday the Tauros again took a 2-0 lead in the first, but this time they kept the pressure on the Chill and kept adding on.
Cameron Rowat opened the scoring on Friday night when he beat Blake Cates less than two minutes in. Jake O’Borksy doubled the lead for the Tauros when he beat Cates five-hole with a wrist shot on the rush.
The Chill broke through late in the period when Cam Bleck picked up a rebound off the end boards and beat Tyler Parks shortside to make it 2-1. Then in was the Mac Jansen show. The Chill forward posted a hat trick in just 2:25 of play. The last two goals came with less than a minute to play in the period and pushed the score to 4-2.
The Tauros had plenty of chances including a long five-on-three power play in the second but were unable to cash in. Ryan Ruck stopped every shot he saw in relief of Parks playing the second and third period, but without any more offense it did not matter.
On Saturday the Tauros appeared to learn from their mistakes of the night before. Mason Morelli scored on a shot from the point on the power play and then Jadin Martin undressed the Chill defense and beat Cates to make it 2-0 Tauros for the second night in a row. This time however the Tauros did not let the Chill get any hope of a comeback.
The Tauros continued to carry play for long stretches pinning the Chill in their own zone. Lucas Oliver one-timed a pass from Zach Holstrom midway through the second extending the lead to 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. Then in the third Rowat got his second of the weekend to push the final to 4-0. The extra offense was more than Parks needed as he stopped all 33 shots fired his way for the shutout.
Three Stars of the Weekend:
First Star: Cameron Rowat; 2 goals +3
Second Star: Zach Holstrom; 3 assists +2
Third Star: Lucas Oliver; 1 goal 1 assist +3
Next Up: The Tauros return home to host the Aberdeen Wings next Friday and Saturday. Tickets for the game are still available by clicking the tickets tab atop this page. Avoid the lines and buy your tickets now.