BISMARCK, N.D. — The Austin Bruins outshot Bismarck on Saturday, but couldn't get anything past Bobcats goalie John Roberts in a 5-0 North American Hockey League loss.
The loss knocked Austin out of second place in the NAHL Central Division. The Bruins (23-14-6) are one point behind Minot for second place and just five points up on Bismarck (23-18-1) for third place with 17 games to go in the regular season.
The top two teams in the division earn home-ice advantage for the first round of the postseason.
Austin outshot Bismarck 29-24 on Saturday, but the Bobcats built leads of 1-0 after one period and 2-0 after two, on goals by Daniel Chladek. He added an assist in the third as the Bobcats sealed the win with three more goals.
Kyle McClellan stopped 20 shots in the loss for Austin.
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The Bruins are back in action Friday and Saturday when they host Minot at Riverside Arena at 7:05 p.m. both nights.
BISMARCK 5, AUSTIN 0
Austin#0#0#0#—#0
Bismarck#1#1#3#—#5
Austin: Goalie: Kyle McClellan 20 saves (25 shots).
Bismarck: Daniel Chladek 2 goals, 1 assist; Adam Stacho 1 goal, 2 assists; Kirklan Irey 1 goal; Ryan Robinson 1 goal; Johan Bok 1 assist; Alex Pollock 1 assist; Ethan Gauer 1 assist; Carl Fish 1 assist. Goalie: John Roberts 29 saves (29 shots).
USPHL
Blue Ox 9, Vipers 2
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KASSON — The Minnesota Blue Ox scored the first five goals of the game and never allowed the Kasson Vipers to be in the game, beating the Vipers 9-2 in a U.S. Premier Hockey League game Saturday at Dodge County Ice Arena.
The Blue Ox (25-15-2 overall) led 2-0 after one period and 6-1 after two.
Cameron Bennett had a goal and an assist for the Vipers (10-28-2), and Austin Burgener scored a goal. Adrian Morales made 33 saves in the loss.
MINNESOTA 9, KASSON 2
Blue Ox#2#4#3#—#9
Vipers#0#1#1#—#2
Minnesota Blue Ox: Alec Sadarski 1 goal, 1 assist; Grant Smith 1 goal; Alex Timm 2 goals, 2 assists; Joe Shaugnessy 2 goals, 1 assist; Nick Spolec 1 goal, 3 assists; Geoffrey Jaquet 1 goal, 1 assist; Oliver DeCroock 1 goal, 2 assists. Goalie: Josh Greune 17 saves (19 shots).
Kasson Vipers: Duncan Adams 1 assist; Patrik Stastny 1 assist; Ryan Stokes 1 assist; Austin Burgener 1 goal; Cameron Bennett 1 goal, 1 assist. Goalie: Adrian Morales 33 saves (42 shots).
