Austin Cruises to Sixth Win in Seven Games
December 19, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Austin Bruins News Release
In its final home game before the holiday break, the Austin Bruins (16-7-8) put on a show for the home crowd at Riverside Arena Friday, defeating the Minnesota Magicians (13-19-0) by a 6-1 margin. The Bruins have now won all seven meetings all-time against the Magicians, who are in their second season in the NAHL.
On an early power play, the Bruins struck first when defenseman Ian Scheid (Coon Rapids, MN) cut to the net and beat Magicians goalie Chris Amsden (St. Peter, MN) on a backhand at 1:23 of the first period. The fans in attendance didn t have to wait long to toss their teddy bears onto the ice, benefitting the Salvation Army.
Ninety seconds later, Jacob Kullberg (Kallered, Sweden), in his first game back from injury, led Josh Wilkins (Cary, NC) into the zone and Wilkins skipped a shot through the five-hole from the left wing to make it 2-0 Austin. The Magicians popped in their only goal on the man-advantage later in the opening period, when Lukas Laub (Rosenheim, Germany) snuck a rebound in behind Bruins goalie Jake Kielly (Eden Prairie, MN).
For the third straight game, Austin affiliate players made a big contribution to the team s success. With the Bruins leading 2-1 at the start of the second period, an opening-minute Zach Kennedy (Eagle River, WI) shot pinballed off of a pair of skates, eventually caroming off of Aharon Lara s (Saugus, CA) skate and into the net. It was Lara s first career goal in his first NAHL game.
Trevor Boyd (Muskegon, MI) scored the Bruins fourth goal on his twentieth birthday, as he fired a one-timer in on a 2-on-1 rush manufactured by former Magician Tony Uglem (Moorhead, MN). Austin lead 4-1 after two, while outshooting Minnesota 18-11.
Austin rookie Zach Kennedy (Eagle River, WI) tapped in a one-timer from low in the slot for the fifth Bruins goal midway through the third period to extend the lead to 5-1, and Assistant Captain Jake Arroyo (Bolingbrook, IL) wrapped up the scoring with a hard wrist shot that knocked Amsden s water bottle eight feet into the air.
Kielly picked up his tenth career win, stopping 16 shots in the Bruins sixth victory in seven games. Amsden made 19 saves on 25 shots in the loss.
The two teams will play once more before the 11-day holiday break, as the Bruins travel to the Twin Cities Saturday night for a 7:15pm start at the Richfield Arena. Austin s next home game is New Years Eve, when the Bruins welcome the Coulee Region Chill to Riverside Arena.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2014
- Wildcats Withstand Late Wenatchee Surge to Claim Win - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Creel Shines in Jacks' 3-2 Loss to the Bees - Odessa Jackalopes
- Austin Cruises to Sixth Win in Seven Games - Austin Bruins
- Tomahawks Come out Firing in 5-1 Win - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Tomahawks Bringing Stanley Cup to Johnstown - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Keystone Ownership Voluntarily Resigns Membership - NAHL
- Mitch Vanderburg Named North Division's Second Star - Soo Eagles
- Soo Eagles Travel to Minnesota for a Weekend Set against the Wilderness - Soo Eagles
- Big Weekend Before Christmas Break - Lone Star Brahmas
- Your Lovin' Teddy Bear - Minot Minotauros
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