WATERTOWN, S.D. — The Watertown Shamrocks’ postseason concluded Friday night at Prairie Lakes Ice Arena following a 4-3 overtime loss to the Austin Bruins in Game 3 of the Central Division semifinals.
The defeat ends Watertown’s pursuit of the Robertson Cup. The Shamrocks finish the year with a record of 31-24-5-2.
Watertown took an early lead at the 16:05 mark of the first period when Owen Fask scored on the power play. The Bruins responded in the final seconds of the frame, as Nathan Williams tied the game with a power-play goal with 11 seconds remaining.
The second period featured four goals and multiple lead changes. Austin’s Michael Coleman put the Bruins ahead 2-1 at 19:21, but Henry Miller answered for the Shamrocks at 15:05 to even the score. Watertown reclaimed the lead at 11:58 on a goal by Payton Struck, though the 3-2 advantage held only until Matsvei Marshchanok tied the game for Austin with 1:34 left in the period.
Neither team found the net in the third period, sending the game to sudden death. The Shamrocks’ season officially ended 11:45 into overtime when EJ Paddington scored a power-play goal to secure the series win for the Bruins.
Watertown goaltender Mason Gudridge recorded 47 saves in the loss as Austin outshot the Shamrocks 51-27. Austin’s Jack Solomon earned the win with 24 saves.
The Bruins advance to the Central Division finals to play the winner of the Aberdeen versus Bismarck series.
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