AUSTIN — The Austin Bruins started slowly, but woke up in a big way in the second period to put the lights out on rival Bismarck.
Austin scored five goals in the second period to pull away for a 7-3 North American Hockey League Central Division victory at Riverside Arena on Friday.
Six players scored at least once for Austin (12-9-1 overall) and 13 players recorded at least one point.
Harrison Aide gave Bismarck a 1-0 lead after one, but Austin rallied for five goals — including three on power plays — in a span of 13:22 in the second period.
Gilbert Gabor started and ended the rally, while Logan Haskins, Justin Misiak and Austin Rueschhoff scored in between.
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Cole Souto and Aide scored in the first half of the third to cut Austin's lead to 5-3, but Evan Cholak scored with 3:11 remaining and Miha Zajc added an empty-net goal with 1:29 to go in the game.
Marcus Karlstrom had two assists for the Bruins, while Haskins, Zajc, Griff Slightam, Will Riedell, John Pesek, Jacob Paganelli, Jan Stefka and AJ Drobot had one each.
Austin outshot Bismarck (8-10-0 overall) 24-21. Kris Carlson made 18 saves to earn the win for the Bruins.
The teams play again tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena.
