Bruins lock up home ice for the first round of playoffs
Published 9:42 pm Saturday, April 7, 2018
- Austin’s Riley Doyon sends the back away from the Austin goal during the first period against Bismarck Saturday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin Bruins needed a win Saturday night against Bismarck, who they defeated the night before 7-2, to secure home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
Six goals later and the Bruins did just that, sweeping the Bobcats for the weekend with a 6-3 win at Riverside.
Austin’s Levi Stauber with the puck during the second period against Bismarck Saturday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin roared to a quick and decisive lead in the first period with four straight goals starting with Dante Zapata’s goal in the first two minutes of the game. Che Landikusic added another goal at the 3:18 mark and Jaden Shields and Andy Willis each added goals toward the end of the period.
After Bismarck made it 4-2, Austin stormed back with two more goals in the third from Chase Pilawski.
Alex Schilling stopped 32 shots of the 35 he face in net.
Scoring summary
Bismarck 1 1 1 — 3
Austin 4 0 2 — 6
First period
(A) Dante Zapata (Josef Mysak, Ian Mageau) 1:24
(A) Che Landikusic (Justin Brandt, Seth Bacon) 3:18
(A) Jaden Shields (Brandt, Landikusic) 14:59
(A) Andy Willis (Mysak) 17:04
(B) Alex Pollock (Tanner Breidenbach, George Grannis)
Second period
(B) Jacob Marti, unassisted 8:46
Third period
(A) Chase Pilawski, unassisted PP 2:59
(B) Andrew Bellant (Sam Malinski), 15:30
(A) Pilawski, unassisted empty net, 18:20
Shots: Bismarck 35, Austin 37
Power Plays: Bismarck 0-3, Austin 2-5