Brandon Wahlin made a strong debut for the Austin Bruins when they beat Kalamazoo 3-2 in their season opener in Blaine Tuesday.

Wahlin, a first-year forward from White Bear Lake, Minn., netted two goals in the win, including a shorthanded score that put Austin (1-0 overall) up for good with 7:25 left in the third period.

Austin Nelson tied the game at one with a goal in the second period and Wahlin’s first goal tied the game at two with 4:03 left in the second period.

Austin goalie Tyler Bruggeman, who is a Mankato West grad, had 25 saves in his debut.

SCORING SUMMARY

Austin 0 2 1 — 3

Kalamazoo 1 1 0 — 2

First period

(K) Anthony Appleyard (powerplay) 19:59

Second period

(A) Austin Nelson (John Kirby, Jonathan Gehrt) 1:11

(K) Chris Hughes (Brett Beauvais) 10:18

(A) Brandon Wahlin (Charlie Adams, CJ Smith) 15:57

Third period

(A) Wahlin (shorthanded) (Adams) 12:35

Shots: Austin — 19; Kalamazoo — 27

Powerplays: Austin — 0-for-2; Kalamazoo — 1-for-6