BISMARCK, ND – The Bruins pelted 41 shots on Camden Haugenoe but found themselves on the short end of a 4-2 final score as they were swept by the Bobcats to officially end the first half of the 2016-17 season on Saturday night at the VFW Sports Center.
Three goals were scored in a span of 3:56 of the opening period, with Jiei Halliday potting the opening tally at 12:18 and AJ Drobot countering with a power play goal at 14:50. Tristan Ashbrook answered with a power play goal of his own at 16:14, giving Bismarck a 2-1 lead at the end of one period. Drobot’s goal came off a rebound that was set up by John Wojciechowski and Thomas Keane.
Matthew Berry scored a shorthanded breakaway goal at 4:56 of the 2nd period to extend the Bismarck lead to 3-1. Tobias Fladeby made it 4-1 after the halfway point passed, throwing a puck off of Alex Schilling’s scrambling attempt to get back into the net and ultimately in. Before the period ended, the Bruins got that shorthanded goal back when Tanner DuFault broke in alone and put a shot top shelf over Haugenoe. Bismarck led 4-2 after two periods.
The Bruins outshot Bismarck 19-5 in the third period and had two power play chances, but Haugenoe held strong and kept them off the board. The Bruins cushion on the fourth and final Central Division Playoff spot was trimmed to three points over Bismarck as they finished the first half 13-13-4.
After the holiday break, the Bruins will play a home-and-home series with the Minnesota Wilderness, beginning Friday, December 30th in Cloquet at 7:05. Fans can purchase a New Year’s Eve Party Package for the following night, which includes transportation to and from Riverside Arena, starting and ending at Torge’s Live Sports Pub and Grill, as well as a seat in the Papa Murphy’s Bear Den. For more details or to reserve your spot, visit AustinBruins.com/NewYears.
