The Minnesota Blue Ox will travel to the Chicago Showcase this weekend where they will play 4 games against teams from Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, and Illinois.
By Meghann Norrbom
So far this season, the Minnesota Blue Ox have shown to be one strong, deep, well oiled hockey machine. The Blue Ox, who play out of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, are undefeated so far this season with an impressive 5-0 record. In their last game, the Blue Ox found themselves behind going into the second period of play. Down 3-0 in the second, the Blue Ox rallied and made an impressive comeback to take down the MN Moose, 6-3. With twelve days off – and a comeback win that many won’t forget – the Blue Ox are going into the Chicago Showcase with strong momentum and optimism.
Coach Witta had this to say, “The fellas have been working hard the last eleven days, lots of conditioning, working on repetition of system play in all three zones – and becoming stronger – smarter hockey players. Hockey players can never stop learning. We have one goal going into Chicago this weekend. It is very simple. Four wins. Nine and zero on the season.”
Detroit Fighting Irish Most Recently: The Blue Ox and the Detroit Irish are set to face off on Friday October 13th at 2:30 pm CDT. The Fighting Irish are 2-1 so far this season with wins over the Tri City Icehawks and the Motor City Hawks. Two names to keep an eye on, this weekend from the Irish, are forwards Peyton Hughes and forward Josh Weber. Hughes and Weber both have 2 goals and 4 assists each and will look to extend their 2-1 record this weekend at the Showcase.
Florida Eels Carried by Lopatin: In the early going, the Eels have been led, offensively, by Nikita Lopatin who has charted an impressive 5 goals and 8 assists in only 5 games. In net, both Eel goalies, have shown to be quick handed with save percentages both over .870. The Eels who are 5-0 on the season have offensively dominated all of the teams they have gone against and haven’t skated off with less than 6 goals in all of their games. The puck will drop on Saturday October 14th at 10:10 am CDT for the Minnesota Blue Ox and the Florida Eels.
Carolina Eagles Hope to Continue 4 Game Winning Streak: The Eagles have made an impressive statement, so far this season, charting an eye opening 8-2 record. Leading the Eagles, is the impressive goalie crew of Zodda, Forslund, and Daniel. Between the three goalies, they have blocked 352 shots on goal in 10 games and all of the goalies have save percentages over .910. The Eagles are carried offensively by forward Hall, who has 6 goals and 4 assists, and by forward Rennert, who has 3 goals and 7 assists this season. The Carolina Eagles will be the Blue Ox’s second game of Saturday October 14th. The start time is set for 6:40 pm CDT.
Decatur Blaze Hoping for the Best: Coming off of a 5-3 exhibition win against ISU, the Decatur Blaze have yet to have a regular season game. The Blaze, of Illinois, finished in the top four in the nation last season and recorded a 26-11-7 record. The Blaze will look to returning players and coaches for guidance in order to reach the goal of another successful season like the last. The Blue Ox will finish off their Chicago Showcase against the Decatur Blaze on Sunday October 15th at 1:50 pm CDT.