MASON CITY, IA – In the first game of the weekend series, the Bruins would take a 3-1 win on visiting ice.
After being swept by the Bismarck Bobcats, the Bruins had some work to do to avenge last weekend’s losses and to hold on to their lead in the Central Division. The Bruins would hold North Iowa to only 1 shot on goal in the 1st period. It would be scoreless after the 1st period of action until 3:13 of the 2nd when Ocean Wallace would find the loose puck to the left of Hunter Garvey to give the Bruins a then 1-0 lead. 6:22 later, North Iowa would get their lone tally of the evening off a redirected shot from Byron Hartley to tie the game up at 1-1 after 2 periods of play.
6 minutes would pass in the 3rd period until the Bruins, while on the Chad Thomas Thrivent Financial Power Play, Jens Richards would redirect the initial shot from John Larkin pass Garvey to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead and be the eventual game-winner. In the closing minute of regulation, North Iowa would pull Garvey to give them the extra attacker, and Jack Malinski would block three straight shots to allow Anthony Menghini would find the empty net to seal the deal and give the Bruins a 3-1 win. Ethan Robertson would stop 21 of the 22 shots he would see.
Both teams will be back at it tomorrow night back at Riverside Arena for Paint the Rink Pink Night presented by the Hormel Institue. Limited tickets still remain and can be purchased online at AustinBruins.com. Puck drop is set for 7:05 PM CST.
