ABERDEEN, SD – The Austin Bruins (5-1-0-0, 10 pts) didn’t have double-digit shots in a single period Friday night, but that didn’t stop the team from picking up two points Friday night in their first meeting of the season against the Aberdeen Wings (4-2-0-0, 8 pts).
Kyle Sorensen started the scoring in the first period after the veteran forward picked up a puck flipped through the neutral zone on a breakaway and skated around Wings netminder Willem Braun to put the Bruins up 1-0 at 16:32 in the first.
The Wings would control the second period and finally sneak one by Dilans Brikans on a tipped shot by Jonathan Doucette at 17:52 in the second. Through two periods, the Wings outshot Austin 26-13.
Entering the final frame of regulation, Aberdeen got an opportunity on the power play in the first three minutes after Colton Spiewak was called for a minor boarding penalty. Hugo Thulin struck at the right time, scoring the first shorthanded goal of the year for the Black and Gold and gave the Bruins the lead just 2:29 into the third.
The Bruins penalty kill came up big Friday night, killing all four penalties including one in the final five minutes of the game.
Viktor Olihn cemented Austin’s victory with an empty net goal with 18 seconds to go in regulation.
Dilans Birkans secured his fourth win of the year, stopping 27 of 28 shots faced Friday night.
