By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Aberdeen, SD – The Minotauros spent significant portions of the first and second period Friday night hemmed in their own zone by a Wings team clinging to their playoff lives. The result was shorthanded, even strength, and power play goals for the Wings who lead 3-0 after 40 minutes. Lucas Oliver scored the Tauros’ only goal in the third period on a nice feed from Jake Clifford but at the end of the night the Tauros were still one point from clinching a playoff spot.
Next up, the Tauros head to the state capital to take on the rival Bobcats. Last Friday night the Ryan Ruck shutout the Bobcats 2-0 and he will return to the net tonight. With a 4-2-2 record against the Bobcats this year the Tauros have turned this into a real rivalry after a rough first season in the league. It has been a low-scoring hard fought series this year and with two meetings this week (tonight and Thursday) expect more of the same from a pair of clubs that just do not like each other.
At this point the names are familiar to both sets of fans. Jadin Martin and Jake O’Borsky have five points each against the capital kittens; while Adam Knochenmus and Patrick Moore match that output against the Tauros. Special teams have been the difference for the Tauros as they have scored seven power play goals while allowing only four to Bismarck over the first eight meetings of the season.
Watch the Game: The game tonight will be shown locally on television on KX’s weather station and on-line on fasthockey.com