AUSTIN, Minn. — The Watertown Shamrocks opened their pursuit of the Robertson Cup with a pair of narrow losses to the Austin Bruins over the weekend, dropping two tightly contested games by a single goal each.
Game 1: Austin 3, Watertown 2
Watertown struck first when Antons Macijevskis converted on a power play at 9:51 of the opening period. However, Austin’s Gus Albert answered with a power-play tally at 4:57 to knot the score.
The Bruins took control in the second period behind a John Flood goal at 16:04. EJ Paddington extended the lead to 3-1 late in the third period. While Jake Pietila brought the Shamrocks within one at the 5:29 mark, the comeback fell short. Austin finished the night with a 32-29 advantage in shots on goal.
Game 2: Austin 4, Watertown 3 (OT)
Following a 1-1 first period featuring goals by Austin’s John Flood and Watertown’s Owen Fask, both teams played through a scoreless second.
The power plays took over in the third. Zander Lipsett put Austin ahead, but Macijevskis responded with his second power-play goal of the series to tie it at 2-2. Watertown briefly took the lead when Joe Rice netted a short-handed goal at 5:02, but Austin’s Siamion Marshchanok forced overtime with a late power-play strike.
The marathon ended at 18:43 of the extra period when Nathan Williams scored the game-winner. The Bruins dominated the shot 45-25.
Up Next
The Shamrocks return to Prairie Lakes Ice Arena for a must-win Game 3 on Friday, April 24. Watertown must win to extend the best-of-five series.
WTNSports.com 