The Austin boys hockey team won it second straight game to start the season as one of its defenders took on an offensive role in a 5-0 win over La Crescent (2-2 overall) in Riverside Arena Saturday.

After Austin senior Isaac Arnold sustained an injury in Thursday’s win over Albert Lea that sidelined him for Saturday’s game, Austin junior Bryar Flanders had to move from defense to forward and he made his chance count. Flanders scored on a put-back goal to put the Packers (2-0 overall) up 1-0 in the first period and he added another goal on a breakaway to put Austin up 2-0 early in the second period.

“I’m glad I could step up in [Isaac’s] spot and get us going early,” Flanders said. “Isaac is a moral leader and he says something before every game. He always gets us in the right mindset.”

Austin’s Noah Bawek stopped 17 shots to get the shutout and Kory Potach, Jack Dankert and Hunter Guyette all added goals in the win. Austin head coach Jason Merritt said he liked the fight his team showed when it put up 22 shots in the third period.

“We’re where we need to be right now. We got stronger as the game went on and we were able to play our third line a little more today. Our hard work is showing,” Merritt said.

Austin is off to a solid start this season and senior Brayden Merritt is hoping the Packers aren’t satisfied. He wants the team to keep pushing and working hard.

“We’re really happy. We’ve just got to keep building and we’ve got a tough game at Northfield Thursday,” Brayden said. “We’re really positive, but we’re not done. We’re here to change Austin hockey and make a new face for it.”

SCORING SUMMARY

La Crescent 0  0  0  —  0

Austin 1  2  2  —  5

First period

(A) Bryar Flanders (Jack Dankert) 7:02

Second period

(A) Flanders 7:43

(A) Jack Dankert 8:25

Third period

(A) Kory Potach (Riley Wempner, Nate Murphy) (power play) 3:20

(A) Hunter Guyette (Tyler Hoban) 10:14

Shots: Austin — 48; Albert Lea — 17

Power plays: Austin — 1-for-5; Albert Lea — 0-for-6