Bemidji State commit leads Bruins past Magicians
Published 10:38 pm Friday, March 14, 2014
Austin’s Josh Bretner celebrates with goalie Nick Lehr after Bretner’s goal in the first period against the Magicians Friday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin Bruins forward Jay Dickman had a clear head as he led the Bruins to a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Magicians (19-29-6 overall) in Riverside Arena Friday.
Dickman, who committed to play college hockey at Division I Bemidji State University Thursday, came up with two goals and an assist in the win for Austin (36-18-1 overall). Dickman is now fourth in the NAHL with 55 points.
The Bruins’ Guillaume Leclerk is tripped up by the Magician’s Nick Kuchera during the second period Friday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Dickman’s line had a solid night in the win as Guillaume Leclerc scored the go-ahead goal that made it 4-3 early in the third period.
“The weight was all off my shoulders,” Dickman said. “Coach [Tok] and my dad both told me to just go out and play and have fun. That’s what I did tonight. Gee, [Casey] Jerry and I were just rolling tonight. We clicked tonight and we’ve got to bring it for the rest of the year.”
Dickman, who is a Shoreview, Minn. native, said he picked BSU because it’s a family tradition. He remembers watching his cousins play for the Beavers when he was growing up and now those cousins have kids who will be able to watch Dickman play at BSU.
“I love that program and I love their new rink,” Dickman said. “That school’s great for me and it’s a small campus. It’s going to be a battle, but I’m willing to do whatever I can to make it to the next level and succeed in school.”
The Bruins fired off 37 shots on Friday, but Austin head coach Chris Tok would like to see his team give a little more consistent effort. Austin tended to take its foot off the gas whenever it took the lead on Friday.
“I’d say the overall performance was as sloppy as the ice conditions,” Tok said. “That’s not an excuse and they had the same conditions. We had a lot of turnovers and we just can’t play like that. We’ve got to be trying to gain confidence so we can play hard, fast, in your face hockey. At times we did that, but every time we got up by a goal we just sat there and hung on.”
Nick Lehr had 16 saves in the win for Austin.
The Bruins lead Aberdeen by three points in the NAHL Central Division with five games remaining on their schedule.
The Bruins’ Niko Hildenbrand looks for teammate Cory Dunn while playing the puck in the corner during the first period Friday night against the Magicians at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
SCORING SUMMARY
Magicians 2 0 1 — 3
Bruins 1 2 2 — 5
First period
(A) Josh Bretner (Luke Dietsch) 7:42
(M) Matt Colford (power play) (Alex Funk, Tony Uglem) 8:45
(M) Mario Bianchi (Thomas Delaney, Alex Funk) 17:29
Second period
(A) Jay Dickman (Joe Schuldt, Charlie Manley) 8:28
(A) Luke Dietsch (Jake Arroyo) 10:44
Third period
(M) Colford (Uglem, Delaney) 5:22
(A) Guillaume Leclerc (Jay Dickman, Manley) 5:43
(A) Dickman (empty net) (Lukas Kohls, Dietsch) 19:23
Scoring: Bruins — 37; Magicians — 19
Power plays: Bruins — 0-for-3; Magicians — 1-for-4
