Austin, MN – The Minotauros have held first place in the NAHL Central since the end of the NAHL Showcase in September. This weekend the Tauros will need to get at least two points to keep at least a share of the top spot in a two game set with the second place Bruins. The teams have met four times already this season and the road team has won each of the meetings.
Through the four games Austin Rueschhoff (9g 6a) has done the most damage against the Tauros with three goals for the Bruins. Overall on the season Gilber Gabor (12g 10a) and Jade Miller (11g 9a) have lead the Bruin offense to 3.50 goals per game which is 4th best in the NAHL. Overall the Bruins goaltending has struggled posting a combined .898 SV% and a 3.00 GAA, however newcomer Robbie Goor stopped 25 of 26 in his first start for Austin against Coulee Region on Wednesday.
The Tauros offense had struggled of late but broke out on Wednesday night with four goals. Slumping scorers Johnny Walker (13g 12a), Chase Springman (6g 8a), and Nate Pionk (1g 2a) all had goals against the Wings and Christian Mohs (4g 11a). Jame LaDouce (5g 12a) leads the Tauros against the Bruins with a goal and four assists, and Walker’s three goals are the most for a Tauro against Austin; the duo also lead the Tauros in points overall. In net the Tauros continue to rotate Jon Flakne (2.02gaa .925sv%) and Lucas Murray (2.42gaa .903sv%).
The meeting is the Tauros last trip to Austin for the season and the teams will not meet again until the first weekend of April. The Bruins have ended the Minotauros season each of the last three years in the playoffs and as the two clubs continue to sit atop the Central Division it appears this weekend is a preview of another spring matchup.
Watch and Listen: Both games start at 7:05 p.m. at the Riverside Arena. Pregame will start on all three Minotauros Network outlets (fasthockey.com, prostyleproduction.com, and 1390 A.M. KRRZ) at 6:50 p.m. Get a break from Thanksgiving leftovers on Saturday night and head to Buffalo Wings and Rings in Minot for the November Road Watch Party. Admission is free, Tauros fans have the choice of ordering off of the menu, or having all you can eat wings ($15 with soda, $30 with beer).