AUSTIN, MN – Steven Quagliata scored twice while Joe Marcoullier made 28 saves and the Bruins fell to the Coulee Region Chill, 4-1 on Saturday night at Riverside Arena. It was the 11th win in 12 games by the road team in the head to head series between Austin and Coulee Region, dating back to the start of last season.
After playing a scoreless first period for the second night in a row, the Bruins fell behind 1-0 on a goal by Caleb Schroer at the 10:55 mark of the 2nd. Schroer ripped a perfect wrist shot under the cross bar and past Jake Kucharski, who was making his return to the Bruins and his first NAHL start since December 3rd. The Bruins briefly got even when Travis Kothenbeutel deflected Justin Misiak’s pass at the end of a power play at 16:57 – Kothenbeutel’s team-leading 15th goal of the season. The Chill responded 19 seconds later when Quagliata ripped a shot from between the circles past Kucharski. Coulee led by a goal entering the third.
Momentum swung in the Chill’s favor for good at 2:40 of the third period when after a blown shorthanded 3 on 1, Billy Duma deposited a power play goal, catching three Bruins chasing the puck. Quagliata scored again at 10:13 to put the game out of reach. The Bruins outshot the Chill 29-20, their 11th loss when outshooting the opponent.
The Bruins look to regroup with another home and home series with the Minnesota Wilderness, beginning Friday night at Riverside Arena – a 7:05 puck drop.
