A hat trick by CJ Smith was the highlight in Bruins' 7-5 win against the Brookings Blizzard.

Smith's first goal came 28 seconds into the first period. He then added goals at 7:01 into the first and at 5:05 into the third.

The Austin Bruins led by three goals at one point and ended with the victory. The largest advantage in the game came when Austin's Jay Dickman's scored on the power play at 12:17 in the first period to put the Bruins up 4-1.

Austin put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Brookings to score on any of its four power plays. The Bruins' goal total was higher than their season average. Austin has scored at the pace of 3.8 goals per game during the current campaign. The Bruins' offense was clicking better than usual and put 38 shots on goal during the game, better than the 30.1 shots per game they average.

Austin also got points from AJ Reid, who also registered one goal and two assists. Scott Nelson also scored for Austin. More assists for Austin came via Brandon Wahlin, who had four, Nolan Kirley, Josh Bretner, Chris Fischer, and Riley Colvard, who each chipped in one, and Cody Dixon and John Simonson, who contributed two a piece.

The Blizzard struggled to stay out of the sin bin throughout the game as they finished the game with 23 penalty minutes for seven opposing power plays.

Brookings was helped by Eric Brenk, who grabbed one goal and three assists. Brenk scored 48 seconds into the second period to make the score 4-3 Austin. Jordan Stejskal picked up the assist. Brookings additionally got points from Justin Moody, who also had one goal and one assist, Drew Brevig, who also tallied one goal and one assist, and Evan Hesse, who also registered one goal and three assists. Brookings also got a goal from Jeff McFarland as well. Other players who recorded assists for Brookings were Cody Marooney, who had one.

Nicholas Lehr made 20 saves for Austin on 25 shots. The Bruins ended with 17 minutes in penalty time with six minors and one major. The Blizzard took out Erick Majerle after he had made seven saves and installed Drew Weigman in goal, where he finished with 24 saves and the loss.