MASON CITY, IA – The Bruins and Bull would go the distance on Saturday Night in Mason City, but the North Iowa would ultimately come away with a 5-4 shootout victory.
After falling last night in Austin, the Bruins came down to Mason City looking to split the weekend series. North Iowa would come out strong as they would take an early 2-0 lead in the first period. Byron Hartley would get his 4th of the season on the power play and Cayden Casey would net his 3rd. The score would stay that way after the first period of action.
Not wanting to be outdone, Austin would come out of the locker room to start the 2nd period with a goal just fifty seconds into the period from Dylan Cook, his 4th of the season, while on the Chad Thomas Thrivent Finacial Power Play. Soon after, Matt Desiderio would collect his first career NAHL goal on a shot that beat Erik Chaffe glove side to tie the game up at 2-2. It would be a little over two minutes later when Desidero would get his second of the night to give the Bruins a 3-2 lead. North Iowa would make a goalie change, as Chaffe would be relieved by Mitch Day for the remainder of the game. No content with trailing, North Iowa Captain Max Scott would get the second power-play goal of the night for the Bulls to tie the game back up at 3-3 with five minutes left to play in the period. Justin Mexico would be awarded a penalty shot late in the period and would capitalize to give the Bulls back the lead 4-3.
It would take over thirteen minutes into the 3rd period for Walter Zacher to tie the game back up at 4-4 to force overtime in Mason City. Trent Wiemken for the Bruins and Day for North Iowa would make big-time saves to keep the game tied and force a shootout. Gavin Morrissey would get the lone shootout tally for Austin, as Casey and Scott would net two the Bull to propel them to the 5-4 shootout win.
The Bruins (4-1-0-3, 11pts) have next week off before welcoming the Aberdeen Wings to Austin for a two-game set starting October 14th.
