by: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Austin, MN – The Minotauros have been here before; tied one game each with the Austin Bruins after the opening weekend of a best of five playoff series. On its face, that could be discouraging as in each of the previous three season the Bruins have ended the Tauros’ season. However, over the last two seasons including playoffs the Tauros have gone 6-3-0 against the Bruins in Austin while 5-4-1 against them at the Maysa. If either team sweeps the weekend the series is over, if they split Game Five would be at the Maysa on Monday night.
Just as they did in the regular season Jade Miller (1g 3a), Jacob Paganalli (1g 2a), and Gilbert Gabor (0g 2a) have paced the Bruins offense. At least one member of that trio had at least a point on each of Austin’s five goals last weekend. Conversely the Tauros top three scores of the regular season Christian Mohs (1g 0a), Max Reisinger (0g 0a), and Matt Jennings (0g 0a) posted only Mohs’s game winning goal on Friday. Neither Reisinger nor Jennings went more than two games without a point as Tauros this year so both are due after being held off the score sheet last weekend. Jack Murphy (2g 0a) and Grayson Gavin (1g 1a) lead the Tauro attack with two points each.
In goal Gunner Rivers (2.07 gaa, .920 sv%) and Kristofer Carlson (2.02 gaa, .937 sv%) have both played well. Neither has allowed what would be considered a soft goal with five of the series’ nine goals coming on the power play and one into an empty net. On that note, special teams will most likely continue to remain a key factor. The Tauros have gone just 2/15 on the power play while the Bruins went 3/9 through the first two games.
Tauro fans coming to Austin should email Ken Oda (koda@minotauroshockey.com) to reserve tickets. Those who already have tickets reserved can pick up and pay for them at the Tauros bus Friday before the game. Fans in Minot who are not making the trip are invited to attend a Road Watch Party at Applebees on Friday by the Dakota Square Mall, the game will be shown in the back room. Attendance is free, and fans will be able to order off of the menu. Both games will be on all three outlets for the Minotauros Network: fasthockey.com, prostyleproduction.com, and AM 1390 KRRZ.