Central California's Western Division leaders, Fresno Monsters, are not complete strangers to the Southern Oregon Spartans. But they were rather rude to the visiting Spartans gaining 29 goals in three games when Southern Oregon made the trip to Fresno early Dec.
Monsters swept the Spartans in three games during their last meetings and Fresno has three more tilts against the Northwest Division side coming up.
Both clubs are in different worlds considering Fresno is nearly to 100-points and the Spartans are out of a playoff spot. But playing in Medford is also out of this world with a rabid fan base always showing up to give the visitors a little resistance—despite their team's position.
Fresno's road record isn't as outstanding compared to other teams in the league and this marks the first time they cross state-boundaries in over two months. It is likely that Fresno results in positivity unless the Spartan's netminders, Christopher O'Shuaghnessy and Josh Breznik, stand on their heads.
By comparison, the Spartans have a -234 goal differential and the Monsters have a division leading, +124 goals. The Spartans can remember taking advantage of Ogden's bus legs earlier this season, can they exploit the same factor this weekend?