Bruins Drop Heartbreaker in Shootout

Nov 11, 2017

LA CROSSE, WI – The Bruins had the lead into the final seconds of the third period but with the goalie pulled, the Coulee Region Chill found the equalizer and later prevailed in a seven round shootout, sending the Bruins to a heartbreaking 2-1 loss on Friday night at Green Island Ice Arena.

For the third game in a row, the Bruins played a scoreless first period, dominating puck possession and outshooting the Chill, 13-9. Coulee Region played a better second period, but neither team could grab the edge and the game was still 0-0 heading into the third. Goaltenders Alex Schilling and Josh Graziano each played well.

At 16:55, the Bruins took a 1-0 lead when Travis Kothenbeutel and Evan Cholak worked a give and go, with Cholak cashing his fifth of the season on the left wing side. It looked that that goal would hold up, but the Chill won an offensive zone faceoff with 22 seconds left and Matt Hines’ shot from the point got through and left a rebound for Andy McGlynn to backhand past Schilling with 18.5 to go in the third and send the game to overtime.

Each team had chances in the 3 on 3, but the game advanced to a shootout. Evan Cholak led off, and appeared to score, but the officials ruled that Graziano had poke-checked the puck away. McGlynn deked Schilling for a 1-0 Chill advantage. Dante Zapata was the third Bruins shooter and scored on the backhand to force extra rounds. Finally, in the seventh round after Jaden Shields couldn’t score for the Bruins, Hines put a puck five-hole on Schilling to end the game.

The Chill extended their point streak to five games while the Bruins gained a point for the third game in a row. The same two teams play on Saturday night at Riverside Arena at 7:05. It’s Military Appreciation Night presented by ABC6 News – FREE admission at the door for all members of the military (past or present) with proof of service. Fans are asked to bring toy donations for Toys for Tots Freeborn-Mower.

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