By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Brookings, SD – The Minotauros only had 18 healthy players last night in Aberdeen but still managed to control the play for most of the night. Unfortunately for the Tauros a Kyle Haak (14g 29a) hat trick including a pair of power play goals was too much to overcome as the Tauros fell 4-3. The Tauros will now look to bounce back in Brookings against the Blizzard.
The Blizzard come in to tonight’s match up coming off of a 4-3 victory over the Bismarck Bobcats. Their offense is lead by Beau Michaud (14g 30a) who has two goals and two assists against the Tauros on the season. Zach Glienke (16g 19a) has posted the most points of any Brookings player against the Tauros with a goal and five assists through the eight meetings so far. In net Ryan Kubic (2.43gaa .915sv%) and Eric Hancock (3.07gaa .892sv%) have split time evenly, each having played 23 games each. Hancock has gone 2-2-0 against the Tauros while Kubic is 0-4-0.
Meanwhile the Tauros have gone 1-4-2 over their last seven games scoring only 12 goals in the six losses. The offensive slump has not been due to a lack of shot attempts, with the Tauros still averaging 29.133 shots per game compared to 29.3 shots on the season. The Tauros will look to get going again against the Blizzard team that they have posted 3.25 goals against this year. Johnny Walker (16g 14a) has lead the way with six goals and three assists on the season. Atte Tolvanen (2.04gaa .918sv%) has started seven of the eight contests against the Blizzard this season going 5-1-1.
Tonight’s game in Brookings marks the end of a run of 10 of 14 games away from the Maysa. The Tauros will return home for a seven game homestand starting with a pair of games with the Blizzard next weekend. You can catch the final eight home games of the season and get a replica road jersey for $100.00; for more info call (701)852-0101 or email contact@minotauroshockey.com.