AUSTIN, Minn. – Despite two goals from Peter Jacobs, the Bruins couldn’t stop the Janesville Jets offensive attack and dropped their first road game of the regular season, 5-2.
In every game this season against the Jets, the Bruins managed to get the contest’s first goal. The same held true on Saturday night when Peter Jacobs found a rebound out in front and pounded home the first tally of the game, giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead on the road. It was a lead that didn’t last long, however, as the Jets immediately responded with a tally of their own. While on a 5-on-3 power-play, Jonah Aegerter beat Austin netminder Zach Hanson to level things at one goal apiece. Moments later, with the one-man advantage, Janesville cashed in a second time to take their first lead of the night, 2-1, off the stick of Dominick Bartecko.
In the second, much like the first, it was Jacobs who lit the lamp for the Bruins. With the game tied 2-2, Austin surrendered another quick response. This time it was Matthew Romer who scored only a minute and eight seconds after Jacobs to retake the lead for Janesville, 3-2. Later in the period, Jared Scott found Janesville’s leading scorer Cade Destefani all alone in the slot and the second-year NAHLer didn’t miss giving the Jets the 4-2 lead. To end the second, the Bruins looked as though they might have some life. In the final minute, Janesville committed two penalties, including a tripping call and while the play was delayed would also get tagged with kneeing. This left the Bruins with a full 5-on-3. Though they didn’t manage to score in the period’s final seconds, more than a minute and a half remained to start the third.
Austin couldn’t manage to solve the Jets penalty kill out of the gate in the third, a trend that would follow them throughout the rest of the period. Despite being up a man four times in the final frame, the Bruins weren’t able to muster any more goals and fell in their first road game of the season, 5-2.
Owen Millward earned the victory for Janesville stopping 27 of 29 Bruins shots while Zach Hansen fought off 15 of 20 and registered the loss. Up next, the two teams will meet for a rematch on Sunday evening with a 5 P.M. puckdrop. Fans can tune into the game on HockeyTV and Power 96.1 FM with voice of the Bruins, TJ Chillot, on the call.
