After giving up a 3-goal lead in the third period, the Kenai River Brown Bears came through with a clutch 4-3 overtime victory over the Amarillo (Texas) Bulls on day 3 of the North American Hockey League Showcase Tournament in Blaine, Minnesota.
Matt Rudin’s gamewinning goal 1 minute, 14 seconds, into overtime gave the Brown Bears their first win of the tournament, ending a game that saw Kenai River score three goals in the first 15 minutes, but then give up three in the third period.
Maurin Bouvet got the scoring going just four minutes in with a power play shot with an assist from Nick Klishko. Bouvet ended the game with two points, and Klishko had a pair of assists as well.
Logan Wendling added a second goal midway through the period, and Gustav Berglund notched a third Bears goal with just over 5 minutes remaining in the frame. Berglund has had a point in three of the last four games.
However, the momentum swiftly turned when the third period began. It only took 21 seconds for Charlie Combs to put the puck past Kenai River goalie Zach Quinn. Combs then added a second goal just over four minutes later.
Thomas Fazio slotted in the tying score with 1:39 remaining in regulation. Also, Riley Christiansen assisted on all three goals.
Fortunately for the Brown Bears, the late collapse did not end up the deciding factor, as Rudin converted on only his second shot of the game. The Bears also produced a stingy penalty kill, shutting out the Bulls on all eight of their power plays.
Quinn ended the day in goal with 31 saves on 34 shots.
Friday
Brown Bears 4, Bulls 3, OT
Kenai River 3 0 0 1 —4
Amarillo 0 0 3 0 —3
1st Period — 1. Kenai River, Bouvet (Klishko), PP, 4:00; 2. Kenai River, Wendling (Klishko), 9:48; 3. Kenai River, Berglund (Bouvet), 14:50. Penalties — Kenai River 3 for 6:00; Amarillo 5 for 18:00.
2nd Period — No scoring. Penalties — Kenai River 4 for 16:00; Amarillo 4 for 16:00.
3rd Period — 4. Amarillo, Combs (Christensen, Rakhmatov), :21; 5. Amarillo, Combs (Fazio, Christensen), 4:36; 6. Amarillo, Fazio (Christensen), 18:21. Penalties — Kenai River 2 for 4:00; Amarillo 1 for 2:00.
Overtime — 7. Kenai River, Rudin (unassisted), 1:14.
Shots on goal — Kenai River 9-11-11-2—33; Amarillo 11-12-11-0—34.
Goalies — Kenai River, Quinn (34 shots, 31 saves); Amarillo, Weatherly (33 shots, 29 saves).
Power plays — Kenai River 1 for 8; Amarillo 0 for 8.
