The Power City Bruins battled back from an early deficit to ultimately fall short to the Maine Moose, 3-1 in the Haunted Shootout semi-final.
Hayden Hockaday deflected in the Bruins lone goal on a point shot from Dario Savard. Goaltender RJ Turner, making his 6th consecutive start for the Bruins, turned away 16 of 19 Moose shots.
The first goal was a bit unlucky for the Bruins - a point those that hit the post behind Turner, then came out and went in off a Bruins skate during a battle in front of the net. The Bruins never fully recovered despite controlling stretches of play into the second half.
Penalties ultimately were the Bruins Achilles Heel. The Bruins had a strong penalty kill throughout the tournament, however the Moose did manage to convert one of their six opportunities. On the flip side, the power in the Bruins power play was virtually non-existent, going 0-6 and struggled to break through the Moose box for opportunities.
The Bruins have two opportunities to break their mini skid: at home on Thursday against the Rochester Jr. Americans at 6pm, and on the road at the North town Center @ 1:20pm against the Amherst Knights.
The Amerks comfortably handled the Bruins last year in Rochester, 10-2, while the Bruins and Knights split two regular season games - the Knights with the first victory against a depleted Bruins team, 7-1 which the Bruins avenged at the Northtowns Center, 3-1.