MINOT, ND – Alex Schilling posted his first NAHL shutout on Saturday night, making all 37 saves in a 3-0 win over the Minot Minotauros. Schilling entered the weekend with a goals-against-average of nearly 7 against Minot, but stopped a total of 71 shots on 74 attempts between Friday and Saturday night.
In the second half of the first period, the Bruins broke the scoreless tie when Dante Zapata redirected a Joe Kinsella point shot for his fourth of the season and first goal since January 6th. Minot led the shot battle 9-4 at the end of one but the Bruins led 1-0.
It took only 30 seconds for AJ Drobot to double the lead in the 2nd when he scooped up a rebound and slid a puck past Minot goalie Lucas Murray. Assists went to Travis Kothenbeutel and Kyle Looft. Schilling piled up 14 more saves in the second period.
With 1:35 remaining and their goalie pulled, Minot surrendered an empty netter to Justin Misiak, who raced after Cole Lawrence dump and beat the Minot defense. The Bruins locked down the remaining 90 seconds for Schilling’s shutout.
The Bruins finish their season at Bismarck on Friday and Saturday night, with at least Friday’s game holding meaning for the Bobcats, who are in “must win” mode, trailing Brookings by three points for the fourth and final Central Division playoff spot.
