Bruins shake off slow start to beat Wings in playoff opener
Published 10:24 pm Friday, April 3, 2015
Austin’s Luke Forfar carries the puck into the Aberdeen zone during the second period Friday night in game of of the team’s playoff series at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin Bruins looked like a team that hadn’t played playoff hockey before in the first period of their NAHL Central Division semifinal opener against Aberdeen in Riverside Arena Friday, but they bounced back quickly in the second period.
Austin’s Ian Scheid, right, celebrates his second-period goal against the Aberdeen Wings in game one of their playoff series Friday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
After trailing 2-0 in the first five minutes of the game, Austin out-scored the Wings (27-32-2 overall) 4-0 in the second period to take the lead for good and they beat Aberdeen 8-5. The Bruins and Wings will play game two of the five-game series 7:05 p.m. Saturday in Riverside Arena.
“I think it was just a lot of nerves,” Austin head coach Chris Tok said. “We’ve got a lot of guys playing in their first playoffs and they were scared. We played on our heels and we didn’t want the puck. Hopefully we got that out of the way because I don’t think we finished it either.”
The Bruins came out with a flurry in the second period as they scored four goals in a span of 13 minutes. Tony Uglem rebounded his own missed shot for a goal, Trevor Boyd fired a shot through the five hole, Luke Diestch scored on a one-timer during a power play and Jade Miller gave Austin a 5-3 lead with a goal.
The Bruins (39-11-11 overall) have now scored at least six goals in their last five games.
Austin’s Jacob Kullberg lunges at the puck during the second period against Aberdeen in game one of their playoff series Friday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We’re getting pucks to the net from the perimeter and from behind the net,” said Nico Sturm, who had two goals. “That’s how we’ve been successful the past few games. Why would you change that?”
Austin’s Ian Scheid was named NAHL Defensive player of the Month before the game and he kept up his strong play as he scored Austin’s first goal of the night and he converted a turnover into a quick goal to put Austin up 7-5 with 1:23 left in the game.
“It’s a nice award to have, but the guys really helped me with that and I just wanted to keep it going tonight,” Scheid said. “I think everyone was a little tense, but after the first period everyone settled down and got going.”
Although he wasn’t in uniform, Austin forward Brian Bachnak made his presence felt for the Bruins when he gave the team a big speech after the slow first period.
“I know that he got them going. He’s got that way about him and he’s a great leader,” Tok said. “It doesn’t matter if he’s on the bench with us or if he’s there. They know he’s there and he just commands a presence about him and that’s what good leaders do.”
Austin’s Jade Miller turns toward the Aberdeen goal during the second period Friday night in game one of the team’s playoff series. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Evan Smith had 20 saves in the win for Austin.
SCORING SUMMARY
Aberdeen 3 0 2 — 5
Austin 1 4 3 — 8
First period
(AB) Will Hammer (Jackson Graalum, Bjorn Sigurdarson) 1:34
(AB) Colin Raver (Collin ONeill, Tucker DeYoung) 5:00
(A) Ian Scheid (Alex Jasiek, Josh Wilkins) 5:31
(AB) Hammer (Sigurdarson) 16:53
Second period
(A) Tony Uglem (Zach Kennedy, Liam Feeney) 3:22
(A) Trevor Boyd (Riese Zmolek, Luke Dietsch) 6:49
(A) Diestch (power play) (Boyd, Uglem) 10:53
(A) Jade Miller (Luke Forfar, Boyd) 12:36
Third period
(AB) Ryan Cook (power play) (Kyle Haak) 6:24
(A) Nico Sturm (Feeney, Cory Dunn) 10:27
(AB) Hammer (ONeill) 15:11
(A) Scheid (Josh Wilkins) 18:37
(A) Sturm (empty net) (Jacob Kullberg, Evan Smith) 19:41
Shots: Austin — 32; Aberdeen — 25
Power plays: Austin — 1-for-3; Aberdeen — 1-for-6
