The Turnbull Cup rematch. It’s the second time the Pistons and the Virden Oil Capitals meet this season. It’s the third of four times the two teams will meet and this will be the second of two to be played at Tundra Oil and Gas Place. The Oil Caps will be at the HyLife Centre in La Broquerie twice yet in February.
You couldn’t ask for a better matchup. The top team in the west division versus the top ranked team in the east. Fans are in for a treat with this one.
Last go around the Pistons came out with a 4-3 win. Lots of hockey has been played since these two teams met on opening night of the season. It will truly be a great test for both clubs. Since then, rosters have changes slightly and both teams have gotten into their groove. You can expect both teams to bring their best stuff tonight.
The Pistons split their two games last week 1-1 whereas Virden is coming off a busy 4 game week with no regulation losses going 2-0-1-1.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PISTONS: PP 23/100 – 23.0% PK 112/124 – 90.3%
OIL CAPITALS: PP 19/106 – 17.9% PK 71/89 – 79.8%
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pistons: Cole Plowman
Plowman was a wall in November and the backbone behind a very successful month. Going 6-0 between the pipes with a 0.83 GAA and a .966 SV%, Cole earned himself the Player of the month distinction. Plowman is projected to make the start on Thursday in Virden. the 20-year-old will be looking for a bounce back after the 3-1 loss in Portage on Sunday. You can expect him to be dialed in a ready to go come puck drop.
Oil Capitals: Eric Reid
Let’s keep it in the blue paint and watch two top goaltenders battle it out. Reid has been a busy guy in playing is essentially every single game for the Oil Caps this season and doing quite well at that with a season total 2.15 GAA and a .915 SV%. Playing this many games, will fatigue set in? Tough to say but so far he is not showing signs of slowing down. Facing the top team of the opposing division, I’m sure he’ll have no trouble getting out of bed for this one and ready to go to work.
Puck drop at Tundra Oil & Gas Place is at 7:30pm. Catch the game on Flo Hockey or listen to voice of the Pistons Dave Anthony over at DAbroadcasting.mixlr.com.
Road Report brought to you by Compass Coach Lines. Visit them at www.compasscoachlines.com.