ABERDEEN, SD — The Bismarck Bobcats battled to overcome a two-goal deficit on the road, but could not overcome the Aberdeen Wings\’ power play as the Cats dropped a 3-2 decision at Odde Ice Center Thursday.
Aberdeen started Thursday\’s contest–a make-up game for the game that was snowed out on New Year\’s Day–red-hot as Tyler Poulsen put the home side ahead 1-0 just 8:10 into the game, one-timing home a feed from Cory Ward.
Ward added another assist 3:25 later, hitting Brandon Platt for a one-timer on the power play to extend the Wings\’ lead to 2-0 just over halfway through the opening frame.
Staring down the barrel of their second straight 2-0 deficit, the Bobcats started their rally 5:13 into the second when Frank DeAugustine collected the rebound from a blocked John Furgele shot and whipped it past Wings goalie Hunter Leisner to chop the lead to 2-1.
The Cats pulled even nearly ten minutes later as Matt Gates slipped a loose puck to Nick Miglio, who zipped a five-hole shot past Leisner for the equalizer with 5:52 to go in the middle frame.
Aberdeen countered in the third, however, with their second power play goal of the night when CJ Pullar popped a Geoff Ferguson rebound past Bobcat goalie Ryan Faragher to push the home side back ahead 3-2 with 14:47 left in regulation.
Following Pullar\’s go-ahead strike, the Wings eased into a neutral zone trap that frustrated the Bobcats\’ attempted rally and gave Leisner an easy ride to his 14th win of 2010-11 on 37 saves.
Faragher suffered the tough-luck loss, stopping 33 shots but not getting enough help from his offense for the second straight game.
The Bobcats return home Friday for a home contest against the Owatonna Express, scheduled for a 7:15 start at the VFW Sports Center.
Friday\’s tilt will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at http://nahl.fasthockey.com/. Pre-game coverage will begin at 6:45 PM CT.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2010-11 season! Call the Bobcat Hockey office at (701) 222-3300 or email gobobcathockey@aol.com for more information on reserving your seats for the entire season as the Bobcats look to defend the Robertson Cup!
BOBCAT HOCKEY
2010 ROBERTSON CUP CHAMPIONS