ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Austin Bruins began their 2020-21 preseason campaign on the road and fell to the Wings, 2-0.
Both goals coming in the first, period, Aberdeen struck first early in the frame thanks to Natan Vertes. Of all the Wings returning players leftover from last season, no one had more goals than Vertes who slid one past Tyler Shea to give Aberdeen the 1-0 lead. Following it up later in the period, the Wings doubled their lead when newcomer and former BCHLer Thomas Manty found the back of the net. The Bruins took a few penalties in the first period and struggled to find a rhythm early on. Of note, while the Bruins battled in their first preseason game of the year, this was the fifth exhibition contest for the Wings.
The Bruins tightened up defensively throughout the rest of the game and Tyler Shea stood solid tall in net stopping 38 of 40 shots. On the other side, the offense, ratcheted up the intensity but couldn’t solve Aberdeen’s Jake Sibell who was perfect on the night stopping all 27 shots the Bruins threw his way.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow night for an encore at the Odde Ice Arena. The Bruins will cap off their three games in four days with a Monday afternoon matinee against the US National Team Development Program at Riverside Arena. Tickets for that game are not open to the public, but season ticket holders, billets, and corporate sponsors will be welcome at no charge.
