Bruins Down Bobcats to Earn Split

Jan 28, 2018

AUSTIN, MN – A goal in each period and a standout performance by Mads Sogaard was the combination for a 3-1 victory for the Bruins over the Bismarck Bobcats on Saturday night at Riverside Arena, bouncing back from a defeat by the same score the night before. It was the fifth win in six games for the Bruins against the Bobcats this season.

For only the second time in ten games, the Bruins picked up the game’s first goal. Andy Willis carried the puck into the zone and slid a pass across to Valdemar Ahlberg for his first goal since October 28th. A secondary assist went to Xander Lamppa on the goal at 2:43 of the first period. At 14:03 of the period, the Bobcats got even on Mitch Walinski’s third goal of the weekend – a power play wrist shot from the right-wing circle. The game was tied at one at the end of one period.

The Bruins took three consecutive penalties in the second period and killed a 5 on 3, and they recovered the lead at 11:03 of the period when Travis Kothenbeutel lifted a shot over Bobcats goaltender Ryan Ullan – assists to Evan Cholak and Garrett Dahm. The goal was the 50th of Kothenbeutel’s NAHL career. Austin led 2-1 at the end of two.

In the third, the Bruins added insurance with a power play goal from Riley Doyon. Just as a 5 on 3 faded into a 5 on 4, Chase Pilawski connected with Doyon at the bottom of the right circle. Kothenbeutel notched his second point of the night with a secondary assist. Mads Sogaard did the rest, making 23 saves on 24 Bismarck shots.

The Bruins play their third home game of the weekend on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 against the Minnesota Magicians. Fans can purchase a “Family Four Pack” (four tickets and a voucher for a family-size Papa Murphy’s pizza) for just $40.

CLICK HERE FOR A BOX SCORE OF THE GAME