Wings clip Bruins 2-0
Published 10:01 pm Friday, April 8, 2016
Austin’s Austin Rueschhoff misses on a backhand against Aberdeen in the second period Friday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin Bruins didn’t have anything to gain by winning and the Aberdeen Wings were fighting for their playoff lives in Riverside Arena Friday night.
The Bruins had plenty of opportunities, but they fell 2-0 in the first game of their final regular season series.
Austin’s Jon Richards crashes the Aberdeen net during the second period Friday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Aberdeen (21-26-11 overall) took a 1-0 lead when Kevin Fitzgerald scored with 20 seconds left in the first period and the Wings put it away when Gavin Payne scored on a wrap-around goal from behind the net with 2:25 left in the game.
“We want to win every game, it’s always a pride thing,” said Bruins froward Luke Notermann. “We wanted to win it for our fans. We want to be playoff ready, so we’re firing on all cylinders.”
Austin (28-27-4 overall) had 36 shots on goal and Robbie Goor had 23 saves for the Bruins.
The Bruins will begin the NAHL Central Division playoffs as the No. 3 seed next week and they will face-off against No. 2 Bismarck.
“You always work the whole season for the playoffs and it feels good to be in them,” Notermann said.
SCORING SUMMARY
Aberdeen 1 0 1 — 2
Austin 0 0 0 — 0
First period
(AB) Kevin Fitzgerald (Ryan Cook, Tyler Bossert) 19:40
Second period
No scoring
Third period
(AB) Gavin Payne (Jake Leitner, Brenan Riordan) 17:35
Shots: Austin — 36; Aberdeen — 25
Power plays: Austin — 0-for-4; Aberdeen — 0-for-2
