AUSTIN, MN – The Bruins used a pair of powerplay goals to hold a 2-1 lead through 58 minutes of regulation time, but the Minot Minotaurous scored late in the 3rd period and early in overtime to steal one on Friday night at Riverside Arena, 3-2.
After a scoreless first period dominated by the Bruins, Austin Rueschhoff finally broke the tie at the 9:00 mark of the second with a powerplay goal. Zach Kennedy carried the puck up the wing and Rueschoff slammed it past Minot goaltender Lucas Murray for a 1-0 Bruins lead. Just 55 seconds later, Minotaurous leading scorer Johnny Walker got loose in the goal crease of Kris Carlson and stuffed in the game tying goal.
Gilbert Gabor broke the 1-1 tie at 11:30 of period three when shot a puck past Murray off a deflected Jacob Paganelli point shot. It was the Bruins' second powerplay goal of the night and fourth in two games. With the goaltender pulled, Zach Brandt's shot was deflected by Tyler Jeanson at 18:41 and the 'Tauros tied the score.
It took just :59 of 3-on-3 overtime for James LaDouce to score the game winner, unassisted. It was the 7th consecutive win for Minot, who improbed to 7-1-2 and 15 points atop the Central Division. The Bruins moved to 5-5-1 and gained their 11th point. Austin and Minot finish up the weekend on Saturday night at Riverside with another 7:05 puck drop. Tickets can be purchased at HyVee, Jim's Marketplace, Games People Play, and the Holiday Inn.
