Bruins Blanked by Wilderness

Dec 16, 2017

AUSTIN, MN – The teddy bear goal never came on Friday night at Riverside Arena as the Bruins were shut out for the second time this season, 3-0 at the hands of the Minnesota Wilderness. Hundreds of stuffed animals were launched onto the ice after the final horn, providing gifts to the Salvation Army of Austin.

Bruins goaltender Alex Schilling kept the game scoreless through one period with several key saves. Although shots were even at ten a piece, the Wilderness had much more time in the offensive zone. They broke through at 4:37 of the 2nd period, just after a power play chance expired. Isaac Kobienia stole the puck as the Bruins tried to exit the zone and slipped a shot short-side past Schilling for a 1-0 Wilderness lead. Around the halfway mark of the period, Kobienia’s line struck again, this time with a goal from Luke Dow, camped at the top of the crease. Kobienia fed him a pass and Dow cashed in to double the lead. The score was 2-0 heading into the third.

The Bruins had three power play chances in the final period but finished 0/5 on the game and Kobienia sealed the deal with a shorthanded empty netter in the final minutes. Wilderness netminder Ryan Fanti finished with a 36 save shutout while Schilling stopped 24 in the loss.

The Bruins retain a share of first place with Aberdeen entering the final game before the holiday break, Saturday night in Cloquet. The puck drops from Northwoods Credit Union Arena at 7:05 PM. The game can be viewed live on HockeyTV (AWAY AUDIO) or at The Bakery Lounge in Austin – the official Bruins road headquarters.

CLICK HERE FOR A BOX SCORE OF THE GAME