ABERDEEN, S.D.–The Bismarck Bobcats scored the first goal in all four games at the North American Hockey League showcase last week, only to come up with no wins. The Bobcats allowed the first goal at the Odde Ice Center on Friday, rallying thereafter to a 4-1 win.
Aberdeen’s Alexander Gullichsen scored late in the first period to give the Wings a 1-0 lead at the intermission. Only one team scored over the last two periods. Evan Hunter, Eddie Shepler, Drew Holt, and Vertti Jantunen all recorded goals for the Bobcats.
“I thought we challenged the guys in the room a little bit,” Bobcats head coach Layne Sedevie said. “I thought they responded very nicely … If you want to win in this league, you have to play the game the right way. I do not care how much skill you have.”
Jantunen continues his impressive streak as the leader of the Bobcats’ power play. The forward from Helsinki, Finland has scored a power play goal in four consecutive games, setting a new team record (statistics date back to 2004, the Bobcats’ second season in the NAHL.)
“You have maybe the best defenseman in the league up there in (Michael Neumeier),” Sedevie said. “and obviously that threat on that side … (Jantunen) can flat-out shoot it.”
The Bobcats also picked up their 600th victory as a North American Hockey League team, all in Bismarck. The franchise has 787 combined wins when including AFHL/AWHL seasons from 1997-2003.