MINOT, ND – The Bruins faced 2-0 and 3-1 deficits but climbed back to a 3-3 tie late in the 3rd period on Friday night against the Minot Minotauros. It was Alex Adams, however, who scored a power play goal with 4:08 left to make the difference in a 4-3 ‘Tauros win. Adams scored twice, breaking a Minot single season goals record.
Minot got off to the better start, scoring the first two goals of the game. Adams, with a perfect redirect between the pads of Bruins goaltender Alex Schilling at 4:04 of the opening period, made it 1-0. At 8:55, Michael Talbot scooped up a rebound and made it 2-0. Late in the frame, Travis Kothenbeutel got a power play goal – his 19th of the season – set up by Jon Richards and Toby Sengvongxay, to make it 2-1. That was the score after one period, with Minot outshooting Austin, 11-4.
The second period was a frustrating one for the Bruins, who played well, and won the shot battle 10-9. They couldn’t solve Minot goalie Lucas Murray, however, and Austin Martinsen, scored his first goal of the season – a power play tally at 18:36 to make it a 3-1 game after two.
Showing desperation in the third period, the Bruins struck early when Jason Koehn found a loose puck behind Murray with help from line mates Evan Cholak and Quinn Martin at 1:56. At 14:50, the Bruins finally got even when Kothenbeutel was able to find Jon Richards around the net for the tying goal. The tie score would only last just over a minute, when Justin Misiak took a hooking penalty leading to Adams’ game winner, his 21st of the season and a Minot single-season record. Schilling made 26 saves in the loss while Murray stopped 22 for his 18th win.
The Bruins remained six points behind Aberdeen for the fourth and final Central Division playoff spot, as the Wings fell in Bismarck. However, the Bobcats jumped the Bruins in the process, dropping them into last place. The Bruins go for the weekend split on Saturday night at 8:05. Fans can watch the game on HockeyTV (AWAY audio) on listen on AM 1480 KAUS. The official home of Bruins away games, Hoot & Ole’s Tavern will also carry the game.
