AUSTIN, MN – The Bruins scored twice in the first 5:19 of the 2nd period to turn a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 lead and held on for a 3-2 game four win on Saturday night at Riverside Arena, elminating the Minot Minotauros for the fourth year in a row, and advancing to their fifth consecutive Central Division Finals.
After a slow start in game three, the Bruins were able to strike first in game four, when Gilbert Gabor and Jacob Paganelli worked a give and go at 10:09, just after a power play had expired. Paganelli buried his second goal of the series for a 1-0 Bruins lead. About three minutes later, Minot got even with a bizarre power play goal by their captain Jared Brandt. Brandt dumped the puck in from the neutral zone and it took an unfortunate bounce away from Kris Carlson who had skated out to try and stop it. Brandt collected it off the side of the net and cashed in to tie the score. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes, with Minot holding an 11-17 shot edge.
In the 2nd period, the Bruins regained their lead just :34 in when Jade Miller marched down to the right circle off a faceoff win and found an opening short side past Gunner Rivers to make it 2-1 Bruins. At 5:19, Paul O'Connor netted his 2nd of the series to make it 3-1, off an impressive pass from Paganelli. The Bruins took a 3-1 lead into the 2nd intermission.
The Bruins locked it down defensively in the 3rd until Minot broke through in the final minute. Christian Mohs tipped home a Colton Berg shot with 45 seconds left to cut the score to 3-2. It turned out to be too little, too late for the 'Tauros however as they were unable to tie it up.
Carlson made 31 saves, continuing his stellar play. Gilbert Gabor went off with an apparent leg injury in the 3rd period and did not return. The Bruins will take on the Bismarck Bobcats in a best of five Central Division Championsip series, starting Friday in Bismarck at 7:15 PM. Games 3 and 4 (if necessary) will take place on May 6th and 7th at Riverside Arena at 7:05. Tickets are on sale at the vendor locations (Hy Vee, Jim's Marketplace, Games People Play, and the Holiday Inn) now.
