Bruins blast Minot 4-1
Published 10:23 pm Friday, October 28, 2011
Austin's Riley Colvard, left, celebrates his second period goal with Connor Quinn Friday night against Minot at Riverside Arena. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin Bruins’ offense wasn’t clicking at all times, but when it worked, it was a great sight.
Austin's Jonathan Gehrt battles with Minot's Matt Lindquist as they head behind the net during period one of their game Friday night at Riverside Arena. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Bruins (7-4-1 overall) found their scoring touch in the second period as they rolled to a 4-1 win over Minot (3-13 overall) by a score of 4-1 in Riverside Arena Friday.
Austin’s first three goals all came on one-timers off of pin-point passes. John Kirby started the scoring streak when he skated behind the net and found Charlie Adams, who knocked in a slap shot from point blank to make it a 1-0 Bruins lead just 24 seconds into the second period.
“Moving the puck was very key. That’s what caused the goals and we’re starting to click on offense,” Adams said. “We’ve got a lot of veterans this year and we expect to win every night.”
About 14 minutes later, Austin struck again when Brandon Wahlin found Riley Covard, who slapped one in to make it 2-0.
Austin converted a powerplay goal to make it 3-0 when Adams laced a pass in front of the net to John Simonson, who powered one through.
Austin head coach Chris Tok said that his team is starting to come around, but his younger players still have some lessons to learn.
“We understand that it’s a process, you’re not going to jump from high school hockey and be great right away,” he said. “You’ve got to learn how to win and learn how to finish games when you’re in the lead.”
Austin's John Simonson slides into the crease attempting to stick a shot past Minot goalie Jake Hebda during the second period Friday night at Riverside Arena. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Minot came into Riverside with a physical approach as two fights broke out during the game. The second one led to Austin goalie Tyler Bruggeman being ejected with 6:29 left in the game, after he had stopped 21 straight shots.
The defense kept the Bruins in it as they didn’t surrender a goal until Minot’s Carl Krieger put one in with 36 seconds left to make it 4-1.
“We just try to stick to our game and not get into what they’re trying to start. We do what we do,” Austin defenseman Trevor Waldoch said. “We’ve got a lot of momentum and we’re getting a lot of wins. We’re feeling really good and I think we’re going in the right direction.”
Austin will host Minot again Saturday at 7:05 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
Minot 0 0 1 — 1
Austin 0 2 2 — 4
First period
No scoring
Second period
(A) Charlie Adams (Jeremey Finger, John Kirby) 0:24
(A) Riley Colvard (Brandon Wahlin, Christian Folin) 14:25
Third period
(A) John Simonson (powerplay) (Adams, Christian Folin) 15:21
(A) Folin (empty net) (Trevor Waldoch, Nicholas Lehr) 18:39
(M) Carl Krieger (powerplay) (Hans Drawbert, Matt Audette) 19:24
Powerplays: Minot — 1-for-4; Austin — 1-for-4
Shots: Minot — 24; Austin — 39
