ST. CLOUD, MN – Forward Brandon Rodenwald skipped a goal off of goalie Hayden Demaso’s pad and in for the game-winning power play goal in overtime to hand the St. Cloud a 3-2 win over the Austin Bruins Thursday night.
Austin finishes its longest road stand of the year with a 0-3-2-0 record and just two points.
Kyle Sorensen scooped up a pass from Logan Lambrect at the bottom of the right circle and skated in front of the crease before backhanding it in for a goal at 5:11 of the first period to put the Bruins ahead early. Sorensen leads the Bruins with seven goals on the year, with three coming during this five-game road stretch.
St. Cloud’s Hobey Skulstad tied it at 13:23 of the first on the game’s first power play on a wrist shot from the high slot to send the game into first intermission tied at one all.
Easton Kennedy would give his team its first lead of the game on his second goal of the season just over halfway through the second period.
Soon thereafter, Jaxon Duncan would record his first career North American Hockey League point when he dished a pass to the high slot for Tevin Stukel who buried it for the equalizer at 12:51 in the second. Stukel has been hot for the Black and Gold, recording three goals and two assists in his last five games.
The Bruins had an opportunity to take the lead in the third period with a late power play opportunity, but were denied by Axel Kylin who kept the game tied.
The Bruins ended up shorthanded after a crosschecking minor called on Stukel. It looked like Austin would have its break when Norsemen forward Tucker Lovejoy wound up in the penalty box for an interference minor, but the officials simultaneously called a major and game misconduct on Viktor Olihn for head contact to put Austin shorthanded once again.
60 minutes wasn’t enough to decide the contest, and the St. Cloud power play would carry over to the extra period. Rodenwald fired the puck off the pad and in for the game winner at 2:53 of the overtime period to give the Norsemen their fourth win of the year and send Austin home with a single point.
The Bruins return home Friday and Saturday night to face off with the Bismarck Bobcats at Riverside Arena. Friday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm while Saturday is a 6:05 pm start time. Fans can get their tickets by visiting tickets.austinbruins.com.
