BLAINE, Minn. – The Austin Bruins only got one goal on Wednesday, but that’s all they needed to take down the Jamestown Rebels in the 2019-20 regular-season opener, 1-0.
Just like the past several seasons, the Bruins began their year up in Blaine, MN, competing in the annual NAHL Showcase. Up first for the Bruins in their 60-game season was a team they had never faced before, the Jamestown Rebels.
The first period began with teams jockeying for position. Near the halfway mark, the Bruins began to take control. Owning the possession and firing shot-after-shot on Jamestown Rebel goaltender Noah West. It was only a matter of time before the black-and-gold netted one, and at the 16:04 mark of the first period, they did. DeVon fields gathered a loose puck and slid into the high-slot where he fired a wrister that beat West on the glove side handing the Bruins a 1-0 lead.
Throughout the second, the pace of play remained even with both teams getting their opportunities but the goaltenders were up to the task. Bruins rookie netminder Jaxon Friedman turned aside every shot he saw throughout the game to earn his first NAHL win and first NAHL shutout.
The Bruins earned four total power plays throughout the game but weren’t able to add to their lead, however, the penalty-killing unit did its job by keeping the Rebels from finding the net during their only one man-advantage.
Austin continues their four games, in four days on Thursday with a matchup against the Janesville Jets. On Friday, they faceoff against one of the league’s newest members, the New Mexico Ice Wolves, before wrapping up on Saturday against Kenai River. For a full list of the Bruins upcoming games, visit www.austinbruins.com/schedule.
After the NAHL Showcase, the Bruins begin the traditional portion of their schedule with two games on the road against the Aberdeen Wings, before welcoming those very same Wings to Riverside Arena on October 4th for the home opener. Tickets for the Bruins first two home games at Riverside Arena will be available at all the Bruins vendors Monday, September 30.
