BISMARCK, N.D.–In two well-contested games between two solid hockey teams, the Austin Bruins had the upper hand, winning both games against the Bismarck Bobcats at the VFW Sports Center.
The Bobcats scored three goals on Friday night, but could not string multiple goals together at a time. That proved to be costly for Bismarck, as Austin scored twice in the final eight minutes of the second period and grabbed a 3-1 lead at the intermission. Julian Beaumont roofed a wrist shot to pull the Bobcats within one early in the third, but the Bruins responded by scoring 17 seconds later en route to a 5-3 victory. Patrick Johnson and Evan Hunter recorded goals along with Beaumont for the Bobcats.
Neither team led by more than one goal Saturday, with both sides holding a lead. Drew Holt sniped a wrist shot from the left wing early in the first period to open the scoring. After two Austin goals, Vertti Jantunen scored his team-leading ninth of the season in the final minute of the second period.
The third period and overtime both yielded no further scoring, sending a 2-2 game into a shootout. Michael Neumeier and Jantunen both scored goals to prolong the shootout. However, Austin prevailed with a tally in the eighth round and an ensuing save.
Prior to this series, the VFW had been a troublesome place to play for the Bruins. Bismarck had won six consecutive home games against Austin, dating back to the 2020-21 season. It is Austin’s first sweep in Bismarck in three seasons.
The Bobcats play a home-and-home series with the Minot Minotauros next. The team’s home game is on Friday, October 28 at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the “tickets” page on our website and mobile app.