Storyline
The Minotauros return to Brookings for the second time this season looking to repeat the success of their last trip. On their last visit to the Larson Center the Tauros ruined the Blizzard’s home opener sweeping the weekend by a combined score of 13-0. The Blizzard no doubt want to avenge the embarrassing weekend.
Tauros
The Tauros come in as statistically one of the best teams in the league, however the results of late do not match the production. The Tauros have split each of the last three weekends and have needed overtime to get their last two wins meaning they have surrendered three points to the opposition while gaining just two for themselves. The result has been a tumble to third in the Central Division despite holding the league’s second ranked offense (3.92 goals/game) and fourth ranked defense (2.17 goals against/game).
12 games into the season the Tauros have played just two at home, both wins, which does mitigate some of the recent struggles as going 6-4-0 away from Minot is certainly acceptable. Over those 12 games three Tauros Keenan Lund (5g 10a), Taylor Lantz (7g 7a), and Fritz Belisle (6g 6a) have managed a point-per-game pace. In goal Nick Grabko remains fourth in the NAHL with a .933 SV% and Ben Garrity sits 11th with a .927.
Blizzard
For the Blizzard the numbers are not much better looking than their record, 2-7-2. They score the fewest goals-per-game 1.64 and allow the most an even 4.00. They have acquired seven new players since the Tauros last trip to the Larson and picked up their second win of the season last Saturday by a 3-2 margin over the Minnesota Wilderness.
Sam Antenucci leads all Brookings scorers with three goals and Gabe Wahl’s four assists are a team best; each has five points to lead the team. Three goalies, Alex Mosquera, Jack Caruso, and McLean Dorr have combined for just an .880 SV% and 3.99 GAA which explains why the Blizzard traded for George McBey from Fairbanks yesterday. McBey has not faired any better this year allowing seven goals on 53 shots over two games with Springfield and Fairbanks.
Watch and Listen
Both games in Brookings start at 7:05 with 6:50 pregame shows on all three outlets of the Minotauros Network, AM 1390 KRRZ, HockeyTV.com, and the Listen Live tab atop this page.