Photo credit: Austin Daily Herald
The Austin Bruins and the Minot Minotauros were the top two teams in the Central Division during the regular season last year and then again in the playoffs as they met for an epic five game Divisional Final that the Bruins claimed with a decisive game 5 victory at Riverside Arena. Although it’s still early, through the first ten games of 15-16 it appears the Bruins and ‘Tauros may very well be the class of the Central yet again. Minot sits atop the Central with 14 points, coming off a sweep of Brookings, while the Bruins sit in 2nd place with 10 as the two teams face off for a pair in Austin this weekend.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR –
Hot Minot: The Minotauros are riding a 6 game winning streak coming into this weekend’s action at Riverside. After losing a pair of OT games at Brookings to open the season, the ‘Tauros went 3-1-0 at the Showcase and then got their revenge against the Blizzard – sweeping them at home this past weekend.
High Flying Offenses: The Bruins and Minotauros have scored 38 and 34 goals respectively, each a top 5 mark in the NAHL. Needless to say, those numbers could make for some high scoring affairs this weekend.
Gilbert the Great: Although he was one of the best Bruins forwards over the first 6 games, Gilbert Gabor didn’t register his first goal until the home opener. It was the first goal of the Riverside Arena season, in fact, in a 6-3 victory over Brookings on October 3rd. He followed up with a two goal performance this past Saturday in Cloquet to make it 3 in his last 3 games. Gabor has been consistently playing on the B’s top line since the start of the season.
Hitting the Road: Fans will want to get out to Riverside Arena this weekend, as Saturday night will be the Bruins’ final October home game. They’ll finish the month with road weekends at Aderdeen (Oct 23rd and 24th) and Minot (Oct 30th and 31st). The B’s play only one other home game at Riverside between now and November 14th – a battle with the Coulee Region Chill on Nov. 6th.
THE MATCHUP –
Central Division Standings:
|
TEAM |
|||||
|
9 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
|
|
10 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
10 |
|
|
8 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
|
10 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
8 |
|
|
MN Magicians |
8 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
|
7 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
2014-15 HEAD TO HEAD (BRUINS WENT 3-3-3)
09/26/14 Austin 0 at Minot 4
10/18/14 Austin 2 at Minot 3 SO
01/09/15 Minot 3 at Austin 2 SO
01/10/15 Minot 3 at Austin 2 SO
—-CENTRAL DIVISION FINAL—-
04/24/15 Minot 3 at Austin 2
04/25/15 Minot 1 at Austin 4
05/01/15 Austin 4 at Minot 1
05/02/15 Austin 3 at Minot 4
05/04/15 Minot 3 at Austin 4
2015-16 HEAD TO HEAD
10/16/15 @ Austin – 7:05 PM
10/17/15 @ Austin – 7:05 PM
10/30/15 @ Minot – 8:05 PM
10/31/15 @ Minot – 7:35 PM
11/27/15 @ Austin – 7:05 PM
11/28/15 @ Austin – 7:05 PM
04/01/16 @ Minot – 7:35 PM
04/02/16 @ Minot – 7:35 PM
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAMES –
The puck drops on Friday and Saturday night from Riverside Arena at 7:05 PM CT, gates opening at 6:00. Tickets for both games can be purchased at HyVee, Jim’s Marketplace, Games People Play, and the Holiday Inn at rates of $11 for adults and $8 for students and seniors (65+). Prices at the door are $15 and $12.
The Mower County Humane Society and the Cooperative Response Center (CRC) are sponsoring Friday night’s game. The Society is selling tickets at their open house on Tuesday, Oct. 13th from 4:30-6:00 PM, with part of the proceeds benefitting the shelter. The Humane Society will be accepting cleaning supplies and pet supplies as donations at Friday’s game.
Fans can watch both games on FASTHockey.com, with the “HOME” feed carrying the Bruins broadcast. Friday’s game will also be available on radio over the air at AM 1480 KAUS and streaming online at myaustinminnesota.com. Broadcast coverage begins 10 minutes prior to puck drop. Intermission updates for both games will be posted via @theaustinbruins on Twitter.
