AUSTIN, MN–A lack of offensive output and a pair of third-period goals sent the Bobcats to their second straight loss as Bismarck dropped a 3-0 decision to the Austin Bruins at Riverside Arena in Austin Friday night.
Bruin goalie Justin Quale, making just his third start, stopped 19 Bobcat shots, helping the Bruins (13-4-0) to 26 points in the NAHL Central Division , now five ahead of the Bobcats (11-3-1). The Bruin defense held to the Bobcats to just two shots on goal in the second period.
Brennan Sanford beat the glove hand of Bobcat goalie Aaron Nelson (Bismarck, ND) for the opening score at 11:31 of the first period. The Bobcats looked to gain the advantage near the end of the period with two Bruin skaters in the box, but a check-from-behind on Matt Anders (Lafayette, CO) turned over a minute-and-a-half of 5-3 skating into 4-3, and the diminished advantage led to limited Bobcat opportunity.
Guillaume LeClerc initiated a two-on-one break, and Trey Dodd finished with a second Bruin goal at 11:37 of the third. Lucas Kohls finished the scoring with an empty-netter at 18:07.
The Bobcats battle the Bruins again tomorrow night to finish the weekend series. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:40 p.m. on the official broadcast outlet of Bismarck Bobcat hockey, Supertalk 1270 KLXX.