10-27, 10-28, 10-29 Weekend Preview
By Meghann Norrbom
On Tap:
The Minnesota Blue Ox (9-1-1) continue play this weekend as they face off against the Steele Country Blades on Friday, October 27th at 7:30 pm CDT on the road, against the Blades back at home on Saturday, October 28th at 7 pm CDT, and then on the road again against the Hudson Havoc on Sunday, October 29th at 5 pm CDT.
Blue Ox Most Recently:
The Minnesota Blue Ox are coming off of 2 wins this past weekend against the Minnesota Mullets and the Wisconsin Muskies. In their most recent game against the Muskies, the Ox tallied 35 shots on goals and converted on one power play in the first period. The Blue Ox battled it out in an overtime shootout and ended up outscoring the Muskies by a 2-1 margin to give the Blue Ox their ninth win of the season.
Blades Most Recently:
The Steele County Blades are 3-6 on the season after falling in their last game to the Minnesota Moose. The Blades’ top point scorers Kyle Wadden and Jake Freise both have 7 points this season. In the net, the Blades have blocked over 250 shots on goal and their leading goalie has a save percentage of .924 this season. The Steele County Blades and the Blue Ox have yet to face off this season, but will meet Friday, October 27th on the road at 7:30 pm and Saturday, October 28th on home ice at 7 pm.
Havoc Most Recently:
In the Hudson Havoc’s last game, they were shutout by the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings when the Riverkings tallied 8 goals. Despite falling in their last game, the Havoc are led by top scorer Dylan Marty. Marty now has 10 goals and 2 assists after tallying the lone goal against the Chicago Cougars on October 15th. Among the three Havoc goalies, they have blocked over 350 shots on goal. Their top goalie, Cal Ambrose, has blocked 130 shots on goal and has a save percentage of .890. The Minnesota Blue Ox and the Hudson Havoc will meet for the first time in Wisconsin on Sunday, October 29th at 5 pm CDT.
Breast Cancer Awareness Night:
The Blue Ox will finally be back home on Saturday, October 28th as they host the Steele County Blades at 7 pm CDT. Saturday’s game is Breast Cancer Awareness Night at the Coon Rapids Ice Center. During this special, Breast Cancer Awareness Night, the Blue Ox will be selling special “Pink Ox” t-shirts. The profits from the Pink Ox t-shirts will be donated in Tracy Jones’ name. In addition to Pink Ox t-shirts, the Blue Ox will also be donating 20% of Chuck-A-Puck sales in Tracy Jones’ name. And finally, if the Blue Ox can sell out this game, attendance would be 1200 people, then the Minnesota Blue Ox will donate an additional $1500 in Tracy Jones’ name. Help us say “Puck Off” to breast cancer and fill the Coon Rapids Ice Center on Saturday night at 7!
Defensive Spotlights:
Oskari Halme
Notes: Oskari Halme, Blue Ox defenseman is currently the leading point scorer for the team. With 14 points on the season, Halme has tallied a total of 5 goals and 9 assists.
Eric Swenson
Notes: Eric Swenson is a left handed defenseman for the Blue Ox. The 6’5” native of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin currently has one goal and three assists so far this season.
Nick Mueller
Notes: Mueller, a native of the great state of hockey, is a right handed defenseman for the Blue Ox. Mueller currently has two power play assists this season.