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NAHL Austin Bruins

Bismarck Pushes B's to the Brink

April 25, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Austin Bruins News Release


Riding momentum from its Game 2 overtime win last Saturday, the #3 Bismarck Bobcats (36-25-5) shutout the #1 Austin Bruins (44-21-2) Friday night 4-0 at the VFW Center in Bismarck to take a 2-1 series lead in the Central Division Finals. The defeat moves the Bruins one loss away from elimination, while the Bobcats are one win from their sixth consecutive Central Division playoff title.

In an evenly played first period, Bismarck capitalized on its second power-play when Chris Diver (Wilmington, DE) ripped a one-timer into the top shelf from the point at 15:56 to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead going into the intermission. Shots were fairly even in the first two periods (20-19 Austin), but Bismarck had the better of the scoring chances.

The hero of Game 2, Stanislav Dzakhov (Moscow, Russia), gave the Bobcats a 2-0 lead at 11:33 of the second on a quick snap shot from the circle that trickled through the five-hole of Bruins starter Nick Lehr (Roseville, MN) to cap off an end-to-end rush. Then after a Bruins slashing penalty, Tanner Salsberry (Plainfield, IL) made it a three-goal game five seconds into the power-play with a shot off the face-off that ricocheted off of a skate in front.

Trailing 3-0 after two, Austin started the third period with backup goaltender Dillon Kelley (Petoskey, MI). The Bismarck defense kept the Bruins from garnering very many scoring chances all night, as Aaron Nelson (Bismarck, ND) and backup Scott Albertoni (Arvada, CO), who came in for the final 3:15, combined for the shutout. Diver added his second goal of the game late to seal it 4-0, as the Bobcats sent their fans home happy, up two games to one in the series.

Game 4 is Saturday night at the VFW Center in Bismarck at 8pm. If the Bruins win, the series would go back to Austin for a fifth and final game Monday night at Riverside Arena. If Bismarck wins, the Bobcats would advance to the Robertson Cup semifinals, and the Bruins season would be over. Catch all the action on fasthockey.com and 1480AM KAUS in Austin.

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