Aberdeen, SD – The Minotauros venture south to Aberdeen for the second time in two weeks looking to improve on the weekend split they recorded the weekend after Thanksgiving. As always the weekend set has big implications for the Tauros in the standings. The Tauros remain tied atop the division with North Iowa and Austin as all three clubs have 29 points, while the Wings are just behind the pack with 27.
For the Tauros injuries have slowed the offense with Huston Karpman and Dean Schwenninger both out of the lineup. Zach Sandy has helped the Tauros weather the storm however with a league best .935 SV% and a third ranked 2.24 GAA; however he has struggled against the Wings this season posting a .897 SV% in three starts. Carter Clafton won his only start against the Wings two Fridays ago stopping 35 of 38 Aberdeen shots in his return to the lineup. Zach Simon has led the Tauros attack with three goals and two helpers in four games against the Wings.
The Wings attack meanwhile has been led by league leading scorer Cade Neilson who has 38 points on the season including nine against the Tauros. Greg Orosz has taken the net for the Wings after getting the win over the Tauros two Saturdays ago in Aberdeen he posted back-to-back shutouts last weekend against the Austin Bruins.
Both Friday and Saturday night’s games start at 7:15 which means the Farmer’s Union Pregame Show will start at 7:00 on HockeyTV, Facebook Live, and the Tauros Hockey App. Then the Tauros will return home December 17th and 18th. The Saturday game will be the Tauros annual Teddy Bear Toss Game. Fans who attend the game are encouraged to bring a new or gently used stuffed animal to throw to the ice after the Tauros first goal. All fans can also support the Tauros Teddy Bear Toss partner organizations before the event by sponsoring a bear which also raises $10 for that organization, click here for details.