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The Bruins’ Ashton Bynum harasses Minot’s Gavin Middendorf during the first period Friday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindaliyherald.com

Austin’s EJ Paddington skates up on Minot’s Adam Mahler during the second period Friday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindaliyherald.com

Austin’s EJ Paddington tries to drive past Minot’s Adam Mahler on the way to the puck during the second period Friday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindaliyherald.com

Austin’s Gustav Svantesson tries to get around Minot’s Ty James during the second period Friday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindaliyherald.com

Austin’s John Hirschfeld reaches the pull the puck to him in front of Minot’s Jordan Gibbs in the second period Friday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindaliyherald.com

Austin’s Alex Laurenza shoots during the second period against Minot Friday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindaliyherald.com

Austin’s John Hirschfeld battles against the boards during the first period Friday night against Minot in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindaliyherald.com

Bruins can’t find their offense in game one loss to Minot

In a game that was dominated by both defenses, the Austin Bruins couldn’t find the spark they needed in the late minutes as they lost to the Minot Minotauros 3-1 in game one of the five-game NAHL Central Division semifinals in Riverside Arena Friday night.

The Bruins weren’t able to get any great looks at the net, even after they pulled their goalie with just over two minutes left in the game. Minot finally iced the contest when — connected on an empty netter with 24 seconds left.

Minot goalie Lukas Sweden was sturdy all night as he stopped 36 of the 37 shots he saw.

“We had some looks and we had some two on ones,” Austin head coach Steve Howard said. “That’s what it comes down to. We had some guys make some mistakes and so did they, but ultimately they scored more goals than we did.”

Trailing 2-1, Austin goalie Jack Solomon kept Austin within striking distance early in the third period when he denied Minot’s Gavin Middendorf on an open ice one-on-one breakout with 17 minutes left in the game. Solomon had 32 saves in the loss.

Minot held a brief 2-0 lead in the second period, but Austin’s Zander Lipsett scored an unassisted goal just a minute after Minot’s second goal to cut the lead in half.

It took 30 minutes of hockey for the first goal to be scored when the Minotauros seized a 1-0 lead on a breakaway shot by Billy Batten halfway through the second period. John Small put Minot up 2-0 just seven minutes after the initial score.

“That stretch right there cost us,” Howard said. “That’s hockey. A couple of brain dead mistakes and a couple of goals in the back of the net.”

Game two in the best of five series will take place in Riverside Arena at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

“We just need to make a few adjustments tomorrow and put guys in better spots,” Howard said.

SCORING SUMMARY

Minot 0 2 1 – 3 

Austin 0 1 0 – 1

First period

No scoring

Second period 

(M) Billy Batten (Braden Jockims, Adam Mahler) 9:30

(M) John Small (Gavin Middendorf, Ian Spencer) 16:34

(A) Zander Lipsett 17:25

Third period

(M) Adam Mahler (John Small) 19:35