BLAINE, MN – The Bismarck Bobcats saw another chance at an overtime victory go by the boards as the Texas Tornado outlasted the Bobcats for a 3-2 win in extra time one Day Two of the NAHL Sherwood Showcase Thursday.
“Texas played really well [Thursday] and earned that win in a hard-fought game,” said Bobcats head coach Byron Pool. “We had our chances tonight but we have to improve our execution.”
Like the night before, a 4-3 Bobcats loss in overtime to Team USA, Thursday’s affair was an evenly played contest, with the teams trading shots and scoring chances through all three periods in overtime.
Defenseman Andrew Mueller proved to be the overtime hero for the Tornado, whipping a wrist shot through traffic during 3-on-3 play, beating Bismarck netminder Ryan Faragher for the game-winner.
“The puck was out at the blue line and [Texas] created a lot of traffic in front of me,” said Faragher of the play, “I knew the shot was coming but never saw the release with all the bodies in front. [Mueller] made a nice shot.”
After a scoreless first period, the Tornado opened the scoring when a long shot from Jared Williams deflected in front off the stick of Steven Behm and in for a 1-0 Texas lead at the 13:01 mark of the second.
That lead lasted just 59 seconds as veteran Bobcat defenseman John Avino fired a shot through traffic that hit Texas goalie Dan Sullivan’s stick and popped 10 feet into the air before landing in the net for a 1-1 tie.
Scott Deur lifted the Tornado to a 2-1 lead three minutes into the third, banging a loose puck past Faragher.
Five minutes later, Bobcat forward Nick Jensen tied things back up, blistering a one-time pass from Casey Kleisinger top shelf with 12:13 left in regulation to make it a 2-2 affair.
Neither team scored the rest of the way, setting up Mueller’s game winner. Forcing overtime secured the Bobcats (0-0-2, 2 pts) another point in the standings.
Faragher made 21 saves but saw his record slip to 0-0-1; on the other side, Sullivan improved to 1-0-0 behind 25 saves.
The Bobcats continue their Showcase schedule Friday at 4:30 PM when they tangle with three-time defending Robertson Cup champion St. Louis.
The game will be broadcast live on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at BismarckBobcats.com via B2 Networks. The pre-game show will begin at 4:00 PM.
You won\’t want to miss any of the games this season, so order your Season Tickets, Family Packs and Group Night’s today by calling the Bobcat Hockey Office at 701-222-3300 or by e-mailing the office for more information at gobobcathockey@aol.com.
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