Austin Bruins blanked by Minot Minotauros 7-0 Saturday evening

Looking to bounce back from a tough 2-1 loss to Minot Friday evening, the Austin Bruins were back in action against the NAHL Central Division leaders at Riverside Arena Saturday evening in search of a split of the weekend series, but it was the Minotauros jumping out to a 3-0 lead after one period of play, and seven different Minotauros wound up scoring in a 7-0 shutout win.

The Minotauros outshot the Bruins 37-34 for the game, with Minot goaltender Lukas Swedin turning away all 34 shots he faced to earn the shutout win in net, while Austin netminder Vilgot Holm kicked out 30 of the 37 shots he saw to take the loss.  It was a penalty-filled affair at Riverside Saturday night, with the Bruins being whistled for 10 penalties for 60 minutes, while the Minotauros were called for eight penalties for 24 minutes.  Two of Minot’s seven goals in the game came on the power play in seven chances, while the Austin was 0 for 6.

After being swept this weekend, the Bruins are now 27-24-2-1-1 for 57 points, which puts them in a tie for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division with St. Cloud, while Minot has clinched a playoff spot with a division-best 83 points, seven points clear of second-place Bismark, who has also clinched a playoff spot.  Austin returns to action at Riverside Arena Friday night for the first game of a home-and-away series with the North Iowa Bulls, with puck drop at 7:05 p.m. Friday night, and at 7:10 p.m. Saturday night in Mason City.