Norsemen beat Bruins with shorthanded OT goal on Paint the Rink Pink Night
Published 10:29 pm Saturday, February 8, 2025
Ausitn’ Gustav Svantesson angles a shot on goal against St. Cloud during the second period of the team’s Paint the Rink Pink game Saturday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/eric.johnson@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s EJ Paddington tries to settle the puck in front of the St. Cloud net during Paint the Rink Pink Saturday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Luc Malkhassian plays the puck in front of the St. Cloud net during Paint the Rink Pink Saturday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Alex Laurenza looks to swat the puck from the air during the second period of Paint the Rink Pink against St. Cloud Saturday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Ludvig Mellgren, left, and St. Cloud’s Mason LeBel battle against the boards during the first period during Paint the Rink Pink Saturday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Nathan Williams battles through a check during Paint the Rink Pink Saturday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Andrew Leung turns with the puck during the first period Saturday night during Paint the Rink Pink at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Jake Spraetz controls the puck against St. Cloud in the first period of Paint the Rink Pink Saturday night ain Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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Just when it looked like the Austin Bruins were about to bring their home crowd to their feet on Paint the Rink Pink Night, things took a sudden turn for the worse and Austin was left with a 2-1 overtime loss to the St. Cloud Norsemen in Riverside Arena Saturday night.
The Bruins (28-7-3-2 overall) had about a minute left of a four-on-three power play in the extra session when St. Cloud created a turnover and Kyle Miller knocked in the game-winning shorthanded goal in transition.
“Our special teams were pretty bad tonight,” Bruins head coach Steve Howard said. “A shorthanded goal cost us; we didn’t play very well and we found a way to lose. It’s on us.”
Austin fired off 32 shots on goal as it had some bad luck bounces off of the post and Jack Solomon had 21 saves for the Bruins. The Bruin defense also stepped up at times as it cleared out two pucks that were headed towards the net to keep the team in the game. Defenseman Nathan Williams also made a big play when he drove in front of a crossing pass to break up a rush with 30 seconds left in regulation.
Zander Lipsett scored the lone goal for the Bruins in the second period and SC’s Tyler Wishart tied the game just a minute later with a goal of his own.
Despite the loss, the Bruins were able fill up Riverside Arena and raise money for a good cause.
“It’s the biggest game of our season that we look forward to. It’s fun to be a part of and it’s important,” Howard said. “We feel like we’re doing something to help. There’s not much anyone can really do besides continue to donate and help out the Hormel Institute. They’re doing a lot of great things over there with cancer research.”
The celebration of Paint the Rink Pink began earlier this week when the Bruins hosted their Black and Gold Gala at Austin Country Club. The team also recognized many community members who have struggled with cancer on the jumbo tron during Saturday’s game. The Norsemen also wore pink jerseys and raised funds for cancer research St. Cloud as well. Saturday was the first time both teams wore pink on the Paint the Rink Pink night.
“It’s a special week and once it’s here, it’s one thing after another. For some of the guys being in this town for the first year, they see how much the town appreciates the cancer research center that’s here,” Howard said. “It’s a big deal. I’ve been here for eight years now and it seems like it keeps getting better and better. I couldn’t be more proud of this whole entire town.”
SCORING SUMMARY
SC 0 1 0 1 – 2
Austin 0 1 0 0 – 1
First period
No scoring
Second period
(A) Zander Lipsett (Ludvig Mellgren) 15:23
(SC) Tyler Wishart (Tim Runtso, Kyle Miller) 16:43
Third period
No scoring
OT
(SC) Kyle Miller (Tim Runtso, Andrew Cumming) 3:03
