Bruins Split Weekend Series With Wings Austin leans on special teams in Aberdeen

The Austin Bruins split their weekend series against the Aberdeen Wings, earning a 3-1 win Friday before falling 3-1 Saturday at the Odde Ice Center.

Austin opened the weekend with a strong defensive effort Friday, despite recording just 18 shots. Kyle Sorensen put the Bruins on the board at 16:32 of the first period, taking a puck through the neutral zone and beating Aberdeen goaltender Willem Braun on abreakaway.

Aberdeen controlled much of the second period and eventually tied the game at 17:52 when Jonathan Doucette redirected a shot past Dilans Birkans. The Wings held a 26-13 advantage in shots through two periods.

Austin regained the lead early in the third when Hugo Thulin scored shorthanded just 2:29 into the period. The Bruins penalty kill held up the rest of the way, including a keykill during the final five minutes. Viktor Olihn added an empty-net goal with 18 secondsremaining to seal the win. Birkans stopped 27 of 28 shots for his fourth victory of theseason.

Saturday's rematch featured more offense and plenty of special teams action, with Aberdeen eventually claiming a 3-1 victory.

The Bruins came out firing, putting 14 shots on goal in the opening period but failing to score. Aberdeen broke through at 10:44 of the second when Brody Dustin converted on a power play following a Hugo Thulin hooking penalty.

Austin answered on its fifth power-play opportunity of the night. Philip Larsson and Olihn were both turned aside before Brett Ludvigsen found the back of the net for hisfirst power-play goal of the season.

The game became increasingly physical after a checking-from-behind penalty led to post-whistle action. Nine players were sent to the penalty box, five from Austin and four from Aberdeen, while Wings forward Campbell Epp was ejected.

Aberdeen regained the lead with just over three minutes remaining in regulation when Caeden Heins scored following a late Austin tripping penalty. The Bruins pulled Birkansfor an extra attacker, but Jonathan Doucette scored into the empty net to secure the win for the Wings.

The two teams combined for 132 penalty minutes Saturday. Austin's penalty killsuccessfully neutralized four of Aberdeen's six power-play opportunities.

The weekend split leaves both teams at 5-2-0-0 with 10 points.

The Bruins return home next weekend for a two-game series against the Minot Minotauros. Friday's game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena in Austin, followed by a 6:05 p.m. start Saturday.