AUSTIN, MN – Jacob Paganelli and Austin Rueschhoff scored in a strong third period for the Bruins, but they dug themsevles too deep a hole to climb out of and dropped a 4-2 decision to the Minot Minotauros on Saturday night at Riverside Arena. Minot swept the weekend series and won their eight game in a row overall.
Johnny Walker scored the only goal of the first period when he got behind the Bruins defense after escaping the penalty box and deked Bruins netminder Kris Carlson at 16:12. In the second, Minot added three more. Casey Springman put home a rebound at 2:28, Walker netted his 2nd of the night on a powerplay at 11:08, and Christian Mohs deflected a Sam Fuss shot over Carlson's shoulder at 12:53.
Trailing 4-0 entering the 3rd, Paganelli scored a nifty breakway goal at 6:30 to get the Bruins on the board. On their 9th powerplay chance of the night, Austin Rueschhoff extended his goal scoring streak to three games, finishing a Dawson DiPietro feed. That goal came with only 43 seconds remaining, however and the Bruins couldn't get any closer.
In relief of Carlson, Austin Smith stopped all 12 shots that came his way. Minot's Jon Flakne stopped 22 of 24 for his 4th win. The Bruins begin a five game road trip in Aberdeen on Friday night. Fans can watch the game on FASTHockey.com, with coverage beginning at 7:05 and the puck dropping at 7:15.
