AUSTIN, Minn. – The Austin Bruins welcomed the USHL back to Riverside Arena for the first time since the days of the Austin Mavericks, but the Bruins weren’t able to pull out the victory as they fell to the Sioux City Musketeers, 4-1.
It was a big first period for the Musketeers who managed to net three goals in the frame, all within a span of 4 minutes. Scoring first for the green-shirts was Chase Bradley, the recent NHL-draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings. Less than two minutes later, Sioux City tallied their second of the game when Bradley fed Brian Carrabes in the slot to give the Musketeers a 2-0 lead. Capping off their first-period scoring with a slick pass from Tabor Heaslip to Bennett Schimek who put it past Bruins netminder Hudson Hodges.
In the second period, the Bruins took ownership thanks to a handful of power-plays. It was during a four-on-four that the Bruins broke the ice. Carson Riddle led the way with a break into the zone. The Western Michigan commit slid a pass to Cullen Rush in the slot, who kept it going to a wide-open Yotaro Nakadate on the right-hand side of the crease. Nakadate slammed it home into the empty net and the Bruins pulled within two goals, with Sioux City now leading 3-1. Midway through the second period, the Austin Bruins swapped netminders, with Tyler Shea entering for Hodges. Despite the penalty box doors being opened and closed throughout the second, neither team was able to get on the board despite Riddle ringing a shot off the post behind Sioux City goalie Owen Say.
Out of the gate in the third period, the Bruins began on a power play and managed to fire off a couple of shots but ultimately weren’t able to find the back of the net. Throughout a mostly scoreless period, Sioux City put the icing on the cake with an empty-net goal in the final minute to wrap up the game, 4-1.
Up next for the Bruins, they welcome the Sioux City Musketeers back to Riverside Arena for a Saturday afternoon game with puck drop at 2:05. Tickets are limited but some are still on sale and can be had by calling 507-434-4978 or by emailing tj@austinbruins.com.
