Photo credit: Austin Daily Herald
The Bruins were able to separate themselves from the pack in the Central Division with a road sweep in Aberdeen against the Wings this past weekend, opening up a five point advantage over Bismarck, Aberdeen, and Brookings. They now set their sights on catching the first place Minot Minotauros, who took both games from the B’s at Riverside in mid-October. Minot had their nine game winning streak snapped by the Minnesota Wilderness in Cloquet on Saturday night. The Bruins look for a Happy Halloween weekend in North Dakota.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR –
Familiar Faces: Austin and Minot are in a stretch where they play 6 of their 8 season battles all in a span of 7 weeks. After claiming 3-2 (OT) and 4-2 victories at Riverside Arena, the ‘Tauros travel back to Austin on November 27th and 28th. The Bruins make their 2nd and final trip to Minot in early April
A Balanced Diet: Eight different Bruins found the back of the net at Odde Ice Center in last weekend’s sweep of the Wings. Dawson DiPietro was the only man to score twice, while Jan Stefka, Gilbert Gabor, Luke Forfar, Travis Kothenbeutel, Jade Miller, Justin Misiak, and Griff Slightam all registered single goals in what was a spread out offensive attack.
Walkie Talkie Man: Johnny Walker has found himself tied atop the league lead in points with 20 (9 goals, 11 assists). Walker was a force in the first two head-to-head games, scoring three goals against the Bruins. He recently announced a commitment to Arizona State’s NCAA DI program.
Offensive Styles: The Bruins (51 GF) and Minotauros (46 GF) have scored nearly twice the amount of goals as each of the other teams in the Central, excluding Bismarck. The Bruins 41 goals against however, is 2nd most in the division, with Brookings having surrendered 42. Minot has given up only 30 goals, tied with Aberdeen for the lowest mark in the Central.
THE MATCHUP –
Central Division Standings:
|
TEAM |
|||||
|
13 |
9 |
2 |
2 |
20 |
|
|
14 |
7 |
6 |
1 |
15 |
|
|
11 |
5 |
6 |
0 |
10 |
|
|
11 |
5 |
6 |
0 |
10 |
|
|
Brookings |
12 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
10 |
|
MN Magicians |
13 |
4 |
8 |
1 |
8 |
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 (BRUINS ARE 0-1-1)
10/16/15 Minot 3 at Austin 2 OT
10/17/15 Minot 4 at Austin 2
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
04/01/15 @ Minot – 7:35 PM
04/02/15 @ Minot – 7:35 PM
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAMES –
The puck drops on Friday night from Maysa Arena at 8:05 PM CT. Friday’s game will be available on radio over the air at AM 1480 KAUS and streaming online for free at myaustinminnesota.com. Saturday’s game is a 7:35 PM CT start. Fans can watch both games on FASTHockey.com, with the “AWAY” feed carrying the Bruins broadcast. Broadcast coverage begins 10 minutes prior to puck drop. Fans are encouraged to visit B&J Bar and Grill (114 4th Ave NE in Austin), the official home of Bruins away games to catch the action. Intermission updates for both games will be posted via @theaustinbruins on Twitter.
