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NAHL Austin Bruins

Chill Spoil Austin's New Years Party

December 31, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Austin Bruins News Release


The way things have been going since Thanksgiving, the Austin Bruins (17-8-8) didn't want 2014 to end. However, the red-hot Bruins, who had gone 5-0-1 in December, were cooled off on New Years Eve by the Coulee Region Chill (19-7-4) 4-1 Wednesday at Riverside Arena.

Austin was strong out of the gate with several good shifts in the offensive zone. The Bruins outshot the Chill in the first period 6-4, with several other attempts blocked by the Coulee Region defense. Both teams were unsuccessful on two power play opportunities, and the Chill ultimately scored at even-strength in the final minute. Ondrej Zehnal (Pardubice, Czech Republic) spun a pass from the corner to Dawson DiPietro (Medina, OH) in front of the net, and DiPietro beat Bruins goalie Jake Kielly (Eden Prairie, MN) with 45 seconds left in the period.

The Chill struggled on three more power plays in the second period, as the league's best penalty kill held strong. Coulee Region outshot Austin 11-8 in the frame, and again DiPietro scored in the final minute. Dominik Florian (Vlasim, Czech Republic) picked off a Bruins clearing pass and found DiPietro with a backdoor pass for the Chill's second goal. Adam Carlson (Edina, MN) continued his stellar play against the Bruins this season, posting 16 saves in the first two periods.

Luke Forfar (Darien, IL) scored the Bruins goal in the third period on a rare rebound from Carlson to make it 2-1, but shortly thereafter, Aussie Miller (Stoughton, WI) added some insurance on a 2-on-1 goal for the Chill. Miller added an empty netter in the waning minutes for his second of the period in the Chill's fifth win over the Bruins this season. Coulee Region finished the month of December 7-0-0 and end 2014 two points back of the Minnesota Wilderness for the lead in the Midwest Division.

Carlson stopped 24 shots for his league-leading 16th win, while Kielly saved 16 in just his third regulation loss.

The Bruins open up 2015 with a home-and-home series this weekend against the Brookings Blizzard. It's the first time this season that the two Central Division rivals will meet. The Blizzard will host the Bruins Friday at 7:15pm at the Larson Ice Center in Brookings. The two will then skate Saturday in Austin at Riverside Arena at 7:05pm.

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