Ian Stauffer from the Owatonna People's Press, pretty much covered what I was going to say about tonight's game. So rather than repeat it, you can just read his article here: http://owatonna.com/news.php?viewStory=31005 .
While I would love to beat the Thunder by 4 goals, as the Express did last Sunday evening, I look for this weekend's games to be closer contests. The Express got the jump on the Thunder last week, scoring three goals in the first period on their backup goalie. I would guess their #1 goalie Tom Lescovich will get the starts this weekend. Although their record doesn't show it, the Thunder have been playing better since he arrived in Albert Lea.
Another key for the Thunder is the health of their leading scorer Danny Wood. The Albert Lea newspaper reported that he separated his shoulder in last Saturday's Thunder game, but I couldn't find any more information. If he is out for this weekend, it's an obvious blow to the Thunder's ability to score, and good news for the Express.
Big Kahuna's Predictions: (I'm 95-51 on the season)
Express 4 - Thunder 2
St Louis over Mahoning Valley
Traverse City over Marquette
Alexandria over Bismarck
Topeka over Wichita Falls
Springfield over North Iowa
Fairbanks over Wenatchee
It should be a great night of hockey across the NAHL tonight:
- The 2-time defending Robertson Cup champions and #1 ranked St Louis Bandits play at the #5 ranked Mahoning Valley Phantoms, the team that lost to the Bandits in both of those championship games. It also marks the first NAHL game at the 5500 seat Chevy Center.
- Topeka and Wichita Falls square off tonight in Texas, in the first of what should be a hard-nosed season series between the teams. Wichita Falls leads the NAHL in penalty minutes with 532, and Topeka is third in penalty minutes with 459. They better spray some WD-40 on the penalty box door hinges before tonight.
- The Wenatchee Wild make the long trip up to Fairbanks to face the Ice Dogs. The Wild swept a three game series from Wichita Falls at home last weekend, but will the road take its toll on the Wild?? FYI, Wenatchee, Washington is 2300 miles from Fairbanks, Alaska. By way of comparison, it is only 1575 miles from Wenatchee to Owatonna.
- North Iowa is in Springfield for a 2 game series against the Jr Blues. Even though Springfield isn't in the Central Division anymore, don't forget that the Jr Blues knocked the #1 seeded Outlaws out of the playoffs this past spring. I would guess the veteran Outlaw players might still be a little miffed about that.
- In the other game involving the Central Division, the Bismarck Bobcats are in Alexandria tonight to play the Blizzard. It will be interesting to see if the defensive-minded Bobcats can slow down the NAHL's leading scorer, Jerry Freismuth of the Blizzard. If the Express take care of business this weekend, they will pick up ground in the standings on one of these two teams.
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
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