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
Bobcats Comeback Falters at Aberdeen
