MINOT, N.D.–Sometimes, the team that outworks the other does not get rewarded. The Bismarck Bobcats know that feeling all too well.
The Bobcats lost to the Minot Minotauros, 5-2, at the Maysa Arena on Friday night.
All told, the Bobcats outshot Minot 37-27, possessed the puck for more time, and struck twice on their power play, all ingredients for success. Unfortunately, the one thing they lacked was coming through with an equalizing goal.
Patrick Johnson scored both Bismarck goals, one in the second period and one in the opening minute of the third. Each goal brought the Bobcats to within one. Minot iced the game with two empty netters at the end for the 5-2 result.
Only one goal of the seven total came at 5-on-5, a Minot goal in the first period.
“I thought we were the better team 5-on-5, too,” head coach Layne Sedevie said. “I thought we maybe needed some second and third chances, but we had good chances.”
Johnson’s two-goal night is his first multi-goal game of the season. Four of his five goals this year have come on the power play. He has scored three power play goals in Minot alone.
“I feel like our power play can be so good and so lethal,” Sedevie said. “When they move the puck and let the puck do the work … they score highlight reel goals.”
The Bobcats and Minotauros each take two points from the Thanksgiving series, with Bismarck having won its home game, 8-1.