MINOT, N.D. — With time running down in the North American Hockey League regular season, every point counts for the Austin Bruins.
And every point could mean the difference between having home-ice advantage or going on the road for the Central Division playoffs. ADVERTISEMENT That’s what makes Friday night’s comeback even more special — and more valuable. The Bruins erupted for four goals in a span of 3 minutes, 22 seconds late in the third period to rally from a goal down to earn a 5-2 win against their division rival Minot Minotauros.
The win moves the Bruins (38-11-5, 81 points) into sole possession of second place in the division. They’re two points ahead of third-place Minot (39-14-1, 79 points) and five points back of division-leading Bismarck (42-10-2, 86 points). All three teams have clinched a playoff spot and all three have five games to go in the regular season.
The Bruins and Minotauros complete their two-game weekend series at 7:35 p.m. Saturday in Minot.
The top four teams in the division qualify for the playoffs, with the top two earning home-ice advantage for the first round. Austin earned the win Friday in dramatic fashion. Minot led 2-1 with five minutes to play in the third period on the strength of goals from Adam Mahler in the second period and Noah Gibbs early in the third.
Austin’s EJ Paddington scored in between — his 20th goal of the season. ADVERTISEMENT But with 4:34 to play, Nathan Williams and Gus Elbert set up Evan Malkhassian for h.