BLAINE — The Austin Bruins are full of new faces this season.
But it was a familiar name who sparked the team to its first victory of the young season.
Second-year Bruin Jade Miller scored twice in the first period en route to a hat trick and an assist as the Bruins rolled to an 8-0 victory against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Pa.) at the North American Hockey League Showcase at the Schwan Super Rink.
Austin Smith stopped 13 shots for the Bruins to record his first shutout and first victory in the NAHL.
Miller scored the game-winning goal 7:42 into the first period, then added another at 17:46 for a 2-0 Bruins lead after one period.
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Evan Cholak scored his first goal as a Bruin and Paul O'Connor added his second of the year as Austin extended its lead to 4-0 after two periods.
The Bruins kept their feet on the accelerator in the third period, getting goals from O'Connor (who also had an assist), Miller, and defensemen Will Riedell and Johnny Pesek.
Justin Misiak (two assists) and Gilbert Gabor (three assists) also had multi-point games for Austin (1-2 overall).
The Bruins continue play at the Showcase today against the Springfield Jr. Blues at 1 p.m. Springfield lost its Showcase opener 5-0 to the Lone Star Brahmas, the team Austin beat in the NAHL semifinals last spring.
