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A Different Kind of Homecoming

By Dan Bradley, 10/18/17, 12:15AM CDT

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Mullets Gear Up for Showdown With Blue Ox

A Different Kind of Homecoming

Mullets Gear Up for Showdown with Blue Ox

By: Dan Bradley

FOREST LAKE, MN -- Fall Friday nights are often for high school football, but with an early season showdown adding fuel to a budding rivalry, all eyes will be on the ice at Lichtscheidl Arena in Forest Lake this Friday when the Minnesota Mullets will host the Minnesota Blue Ox. 

The Mullets are looking to gain momentum in a homecoming of sorts after posting a 2-2 record at last weekend’s showcase in Chicago. The Mullets won their showcase opener by beating the Motor City Hawks 6-1; things took a turn on Saturday, as the Mullets fell 4-1 against the Hampton Roads Whalers. A Sunday split came the following day; after recovering from an 8-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Juniors in the early game, the Mullies responded by making a statement in an 11-1 win later Sunday afternoon over the Tri-City Ice Hawks.

On a similar note, the Blue Ox also went 2-2 on showcase weekend. Friday saw a win against the Detroit Fighting Irish 4-3. Saturday was particularly cruel to the Blue Ox; a pair of losses came at the hands of the Florida Eels (5-4) and the Carolina Eagles (8-2). Sunday was a brighter spot, as the Blue Ox won 2-0 over the Decatur Blaze.

As the old hockey adage goes, the points are harder to get as the season goes on. The Mullets sport a record of 5-5-0 (10 points) and are currently in 5th in the USPHL Midwest-West Division Standings. Meanwhile, in-state rival Minnesota Blue Ox are 2nd in the standings, with a record of 7-1-1 (15 points) on the year. Both teams are hoping to gain ground on the first place Wisconsin Rapids River Kings (8-2-0, 16 points).

The last time the Mullets and Blue Ox played each other, the Blue Ox emerged victorious with a 4-1 win on their home ice. The Mullets will aim to settle the score as the season series shifts from Coon Rapids to Forest Lake. Pucks (and gloves??) drop at 7:30PM.