The Bismarck Bobcats took the ice for the first time since winning the Robertson Cup this past weekend against the Minot Minotauros in the annual War in Watford preseason series.
Friday night, the Bobcats got the scoring started on the power play late in the 1st period following a surge from the Tauros. Lone returner Gianni DiVita snuck a shot under the pad of the Minot goaltender to make it a 1-0 contest. The Tauros would strike back in the dying seconds of the period to equalize the score at 1, heading into the intermission. Shots on goal favored the Tauros 15-9 after the opening 20 minutes.
The 2nd period ended up being the difference maker in the contest as the Bobcats struck twice. Nate Garski worked his way along the goal line and tapped home the rebound off of a Cade Bell shot to restore the Bobcats lead with 5 minutes remaining in the period. Similarly to Minot in the first period, the Bobcats would strike within the last minute of the period as Dennis Lominac found the back of the net, to give the Bobcats a cushion. Shots on goal throughout the second were 12-5 Bismarck.
The Bobcats were known for game management last season, not losing a single game when leading after two periods, and with a much younger squad they had to test that early. Overall, Bismarck did a nice job as Minot was held to just 4 shots in the entire 3rd period. It would be the Tauros striking on the power play, however, with just over 6 minutes remaining to bring the game within 1 goal. The Cats would find the dagger just a couple minutes later as Mark Evans sniped a shot right under the bar to give the Bobcats the 4-2 victory.
Final shots on goal read 29-24 in favor of the Bobcats. Goaltender Nils Maurins registered his first victory in a Bobcat uniform stopping 22/24.
Moving ahead to Saturday’s game, the Bobcats looked to sweep the War in Watford preseason series, but the Tauros were not going to go quietly into the night. Just following the midway point of the opening frame, Minot would strike first and take a 1-0 lead on a solo effort goal that found its way under the crossbar. Bismarck found the response just 5 minutes later as Rory Savage fired a shot from the point that deflected off of a Minot defender in front of the net and floated home to tie the game at 1. The horn would sound just a few minutes later, ending the 1st period of play. The Bobcats outshot the Tauros 8-4 in the opening frame.
No pucks found the back of the net in the 2nd period, however, the overall play was dominated by Minot as they created a multitude of scoring chances. Bismarck would only register 6 shots on goal that period in comparison to Minot’s 12.
A regroup was needed in the 3rd, and while Bismarck outshot Minot 19-8 in the period, it would be Minot getting off to the hot start in the period. The Tauros scored 3 goals in 7 minutes to take a commanding 4-1 lead over the Bobcats. All hope was not lost for the Bobcats as they began to claw their way back into the contest. At the midway point of the 3rd period, Bismarck native Haydon Eckart cut into the slot and unleashed a hard wrister that found its way over the blocker of the Minot goaltender. The Bobcats would then pull within one with 3 and a half minutes to play as Evans struck for his 2nd goal of the weekend, picking the same corner as the night before. The comeback would fall just short as Minot sealed the deal with an empty-net goal to defeat the Bobcats 5-3.
Final shots on goal read 33-24 in favor of Bismarck. Bobcat goaltender Patrick Muller stopped 20/24 that came his way in the loss. The Bobcats are back in action Friday, September 19th & Saturday, September 20th as they take on the Austin Bruins to open the 2025-26 regular season. Be sure to take a look at the Bismarck Bobcats social media pages for more information on tickets!