AUSTIN, Minn. – The Brookings Blizzard fell into a tie for third-place in the Central Division standings after dropping a 5-2 decision to the Bruins on Saturday night at Riverside Arena.
Austin took advantage of a power-play opportunity to lead 1-0 after a period, and then, the Bruins cashed in on another power-play chance to push their advantage to 2-0 just 50 seconds into the second period.
Chase Brand’s goal with 4:45 left in the second cut the lead in half as Josh Boyer and Doug Larson picked up the assists for the Blizzard.
But Austin responded with two goals in a 35-second span to take a 4-1 lead into the final intermission.
It was Brookings’ turn to take advantage of a power-play situation late in the third period and Connor Koviak made the most of it to light the lamp with 2:34 to play, with Max Sasson and Carson Kosobud getting the assists.
Austin scored on an empty net inside of two minutes left for the final margin.
Brookings dropped to 13-12-2 with 28 points while the Bruins took over first place with a 14-7-1-3 mark (32 points).
The Blizzard have a chance to move up in the standings this weekend as they play host to the Bismarck Bobcats, who are tied for third in the standings with an identical 13-12-2 mark.
The puck drops at 7:05 both Friday and Saturday night at Larson Ice Center.