Bobcats Settle for Home Split vs. Aberdeen
The Bismarck Bobcats were back on home ice to celebrate Military Appreciation Weekend as they took on the Aberdeen Wings.
Starting with Friday’s contest, it was a slow start for both teams as the Wings outshot the Bobcats 9-5 in the opening period, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Both goaltenders stood tall heading into the middle frame.
The Cats certainly took control in that middle frame, generating multiple grade A scoring chances. They would finally break through on the man advantage with 7 minutes remaining. Mark Evans didn’t receive a pass in his wheelhouse, but still got the one-timer off and beat Adam Dybal to make it 1-0. Just under 2 minutes later, the Wings would tie it on a net-front battle that beat Dane Callaway five-hole. Later in the period, the Bobcats would return to the man advantage and just 33 seconds left in the period, Cooper Williams fired home the rebound to restore the Bobcat lead and give them the 4-3 advantage heading into the 3rd period.
It was a great start to the 3rd for the Cats as Fanda Broz found the back of the net for the Cats 3rd power play goal of the night to extend the lead to 3-1. Around the middle of the period, on a beautiful one-time shot, Brody Dustin was able to find the back of the net for the Wings to bring the game back within one. Finally, with the goalie pulled the Bobcats found the empty net as Williams struck for his 2nd of the night to make it 4-2. Aberdeen brought the game back within 1 with 47 seconds left but it wasn’t enough as the Bobcats captured 1st place for the 1st time this season.
Dane Callaway notched another victory in net stopping 23/26 that came his way.
Moving ahead to Saturday’s contest, the Bobcats got the party started early in the contest as Williams and Kresl emerged forward on a 2 on 1 rush. The feed to Kresl was right on the money as he put it in the back of the net to make it a 1-0 contest in favor of the Cats. However, on the power play, the Wings would strike back at the end of the period to tie the game up at 1 to send us into the intermission all knotted up.
The Wings came out swinging in the 2nd period. Just over 2 minutes in, a shot rang in from the line that deflected off a Bobcat stick in front and into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 Wings lead. Later in the period, Matthew Martin would strike as well for the Wings to extend their lead, but just a couple minutes later, Noah Ziskie wired one home from the right wing circle to bring the game back within one. Aberdeen would tack on two more goals in the last 3 minutes of the period to take a 5-2 lead heading into the 3rd.
With their backs against the wall, the Cats were unable to find the back of the net, and Aberdeen was able to skate away with the 5-2 victory. Marko Bilic made his Bobcat debut in the 3rd period in relief of Callaway, stopping all 10 shots that came his way.
After the weekend series the Bobcats move to 14-6-1 on the season and remain in 2nd place, 1 point behind the Wings.
The Cats are back on home ice this Wednesday for the annual Thanksgiving Eve game against the Minot Minotauros! Puck drop is set for 7:15 P.M. Get your tickets by texting/calling the Bobcat Hotline at 390-7422 or log onto tickets.bismarckbobcats.com