Day 3 of the showcase was set to be a good one as the Nords looked to add to last night’s win, against Bismarck, which was their first of the season. Taking on the Kenai River Brown Bears, the Nords knew they had a great chance to get their first back to back win stretch of the season; given their success in the past against the Brown Bears, the Nords are 4-0 all time against them.
The first period gave way for a great chance for the Nords to get a power-play goal on the man advantage, but the Brown Bears goalie made some good saves to keep it scoreless. After the Brown Bears penalty kill was successful they went onto the power play, when the Nords returned the favor and killed it off. Avery Surtz made some good stops to keep the momentum in the Nords favor. On a shorthanded opportunity, Bryce Bollman, had a chance to pot his first goal of the season on a penalty shot, but it was turned aside by the Brown Bears Goalie. 0-0 after 1.
The second period started much like the first with a Brown Bears penalty just 1:30 into the period. This time was different in terms of success; Reese Farrell scored just 1:40 into the frame. The Division 1 commit was the lone assist in Tyler Gaulin. The Nords would add to it 3 minutes later to go up 2-0. That would be just their second 5 on 5 goal in 180 minutes of play this season. Backstopped by Avery Sturtz the Nords would then kill off 2 straight penalties to go up 2-0 after 2.
The Brown Bears started the third just like the other two periods – with a penalty. The Nords wouldn’t be able to capitalize on this one; however the Bears would strike, 2-1. The Nords would waste no time responding with Reese Farrells second goal of the game. 3-1 Nords up. The Nords would then head to the sin bin and the Brown Bears would pull within one; with less than two minutes left the Bears would throw all they had at Avery Sturtz and the Nords. The Nords would hold the line defensively and key face-off wins, from Tristan Fasig, would preserve the win.
The Nords are now 5-0 all-time against the Brown Bears. They wrap up the 2021 showcase tomorrow against the Brand New and red hot El Paso Rhinos looking to come out of the showcase with an eye-catching 3-1 record.
