By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Aberdeen, SD – The Minotauros magic number is down to one. The mission is simple, win tonight and earn the franchise’s first playoff birth in just it’s second season of play. At first glance it seems easy enough. The Tauros have won 10 more games than the Wings, and have taken five of the clubs’ seven meetings this year. However, this is not the same Wings team that was mired in an 18 game pointless streak.
The change (much like the Tauros’ turn-around last autumn) starts in net. In five games since being acquired at the trade deadline Wings’ goalie Zach Nagelvoort, has stoped 94.7% of the shots he has faced, resulting a 1.74 GAA as a Wing. Overall since ending the 18 game slide the Wings are 6-3-1and have scored at least 5 goals in four of those meetings.
For the Tauros, the story continues to revolve around who is not able to play, the good news is that that story is changing. Captain Tim Donohue and David Dalbec return to the line-up this week. The Tauros have managed just ten goals over the last five games. Combine that fact with the play of Nagelvoort and the Tauros will certainly be thrilled to have Donohue back.
Player to Watch: Lucas Oliver, seven of Oli’s 23 points have come at the expense of Aberdeen. If the Tauros want to eliminate Aberdeen getting pucks behind Nagelvoort will be key.
Watch the Game: The game will be shown on www.fasthockey.com, puck drop is at 7:15 p.m. CST.