Bobcats Persevere for OT Win
BISMARCK, ND – Fending off multiple combacks Friday, the Bismarck Bobcats battled out a 3-2 overtime win over the Aberdeen Wings at the VFW Sports Center.
Following a scoreless first period, the Bobcats stormed onto the board just 35 seconds into the third—moments after a power play had ended—when Parker Mismash maneuvered into the slot and whipped home his own rebound after a shot-block to post the home side to a 1-0 lead.
Aberdeen pulled even with 6:34 left in the second when a defensive-zone turnover by the Bobcats allowed Riley Murphy to find Dennis Bernhardtz for a quick backhander that beat Bobcat goalie Will Ulrich glove side, knotting the game at one.
Holy Cross commit Matt Barry broke the stalemate at the 5:17 mark of the third, teeing up a one-time slap shot from Mismash over the right shoulder of Wings netminder Matt Ladd for his sixth goal of the year and a 2-1 Bobcat edge.
Once again, the Wings managed to even the score before the period could end, forcing overtime at 2-2 thanks to Tyrstan Isenhour slamming a loose puck inside the right post before Ulrich could close the gap with 3:19 left in regulation.
Both teams had their chances in bonus hockey, but veteran center Austin Junger sent the crowd of 1,075 home happy with 55 seconds left in the extra stanza, snapping home a loose puck on another broken play to deliver the 3-2 victory.
Ulrich turned in a tidy 24 saves to improve to 5-4-0 on the season. Ladd stopped 28 in his Wings debut but could not avoid his first loss of 2016-17.
Now the Bobcats turn their attention to the Brookings Blizzard, who come to the VFW Sports Center for a 7:15pm contest Saturday fresh off a 3-2 home win over Minot on Friday.
Tickets are now available for the Cats’ last home game of October: fans can buy and print tickets online at BismarckBobcats.com or charge-by-phone at 222-3300.
Saturday’s dustup with the Blizzard will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270 AM, and worldwide on HockeyTV.com–the web television partner of the North American Hockey League–with pregame coverage starting at 6:45pm.
Season tickets are now on sale for the Bobcats’ landmark platinum anniversary campaign fans can get more information or reserve their seats for all of Season Twenty now by calling 222-3300.