Photo courtesy of Roweena Langin
AUSTIN, MN – Coming into their weekend series with the Brookings Blizzard, the Bruins were tied for the most third period goals in the NAHL but it was the first period that made the difference in the sweep. The Bruins scored twice in the first two minutes to jump out to a quick 2-0 lead when Gilbert Gabor and Logan Haskins netted goals at 1:45 and 1:58. Gabor pounded home a rebound off a William Riedell point shot and Haskins slipped a backhand past goaltender Josh Keumichel for the early advantage. A.J. Drobot extended the lead to 3-0 at 6:24 and Justin Misiak made it 4-0 at 14:36. Kris Carlson also stopped a Peter Valent penalty shot in the period. The explosive first period mirrored last night's 3 goal, 14 shot opening frame.
In the 2nd, the Bruins went up 5-0 when Dawson DiPietro scored in his third straight game at 2:27. Brookings broke through at 16:33 of the period when Martan Yelle scored on a breakaway. It was 5-1 after two periods.
Defenseman Dalton Gally restored Austin's 5 goal lead, taking a Jacob Paganelli pass and burying a shot at 4:18 of the 3rd period. Connor Hutchins and Mikael Hakkarainen scored late for the Blizzard but the damage was done and the Bruins skated away with the 6-3 win, their fourth in a row. Carlson made 27 saves on 30 shots for his 3rd win. The Bruins moved to 5-3-0 and share the Central Division lead with the Minot Minotauros. The Bruins are home again on Friday for a 2015 Robertson Cup Final rematch with the Minnesota Wilderness at 7:05 PM. Fans can get tickets at HyVee, the Holiday Inn, Games People Play, and Jim's Marketplace. $11 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
