AUSTIN, MN- For the first time since the 2018-2019 Season, the Austin Bruins will be returning to the Robertson Cup Playoffs.
Going into Friday night’s game, the Austin Bruins needed to win one out of their last four regular-season home games to secure a spot in the Robertson Cup Playoffs. They would first have to take care of business against a tough Aberdeen Wings Team. The first goal of the evening would not come until the 12:01 mark of the 1st period when Jens Richards would score while on the Chad Thomas Thrivent Finacial Power Play to give the Bruins the early 1-0 lead. That wouldn’t be the only special teams’ goal for the Bruins during the period, as while on the Kris Heichel Team Powered by Fairway Mortgage Penalty Kill, Anthony Menghini would get a breakout pass from Nick Catalano and Liam Whitehouse to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes of action inside Riverside Arena.
Meghini wouldn’t settle for just one special teams’ goal as he would add his second of the game 8:28 into the 2nd period on the Power Play to give the Bruins a 3-0 lead and from there Klayton Knapp would shut the door. The Waterville, OH native would stop all 25 of the shots he would face on the night to pick up his 2nd shutout of the season.
The Bruins wrap up the weekend series with Aberdeen tomorrow night at 7:00 PM at Riverside Arena for the final regular-season game at home. Austin needs to win 2 of the last 3 games to clinch home ice in the 1st round of the Robertson Cup Playoffs as the remaining games of the regular season are all against the Aberdeen Wings who currently sit 2 points ahead of the Bruins in 2nd place.
