Bruins Fall to Pilots in Shootout, 2-1

Sep 21, 2018

BLAINE, Minn. – Day three of the NAHL Showcase in Blaine wasn’t as friendly to the Bruins who fell 2-1 in the shootout to Topeka.

It didn’t take long for the action to start on day three of the NAHL showcase when the Bruins scored only 5:36 into the first period. Ian Mageau notched his first goal of the season, assisted by Lane Krenzen and the Bruins took the 1-0 lead over Topeka. Much like Thursday’s battle with Lone Star, Friday’s game was tightly contested with each team fighting for space, slamming bodies, and getting shots on goal.

Despite all the action, neither team would add any more goals as the teams headed to the lockers with Austin leading the way, 1-0. Shortly after the start of the second period, Topeka leveled the score when Michael Muschitiello roofed a shot over Brett Miller’s shoulder only 1:37 into the middle frame.

Both teams buckled down for the remainder of the second and the third, and after 60 minutes of play, overtime was needed. Much like Thursday, neither team was able to take advantage of the 3-on-3 and headed to the shootout. The Bruins were held scoreless in the shooutout while giving up two goals, sealing the game in favor of Topeka, 2-1.

Despite the loss, the Bruins gain a standings point in a very competitive Central Division. In addition, they remain undefeated in regulation through the first three games of the season. Game four, the final game, of the NAHL Showcase, takes place on Saturday against one of the league’s newest members, the Maryland Black Bears. Puck drop from Blaine comes at 3 P.M. and can be heard on hockeytv.com. The Bruins play their first game of the 2018-19 regular season at Riverside Arena on September 28th with an encore on Septemeber 29th.