Oh, Terry

Nov 23, 2012

 

Hennen Breaks out, Bobcats Blank Brookings

BISMARCK, ND – Terry Hennen had a career night and Aaron Nelson made 25 saves en route to a 3-0 shutout of the Brookings Blizzard Saturday at the VFW Sports Center to pull into a second-place tie with the Blizzard in the Central Division standings.

After the Blizzard and Bobcats played to a scoreless tie deep into the second period Hennen, a second-year forward who played in just one game as a rookie in 2011-12, tallied his first career goal with 1:20 to go in the middle frame as Bob Kinne found him in front for a one-timer past Blizzard netminder Nick Deery for a 1-0 Bobcat lead.

“Terry stayed with our program all last season even though he only got into one regular season game and worked hard all offseason to earn a bigger role this year,” credited Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, “and everyone on our bench was really excited to see him finally get rewarded with a goal—especially one in such a big spot.”

It was also Hennen’s first career point.

But the 19-year-old forward from Champlin, Minn., was not done. Just 18 seconds into the third, Hennen struck again, grabbing a back door feed from Evan Giesler and jamming it inside the short post to make it 2-0 Bobcats.

The goal was not signaled initially by head referee Bobby Lukkason, but after conferring with the goal judge, who lit the red lamp behind Deery, Hennen was awarded his second goal in 98 seconds.

“I’d been waiting a year and a half for that first one, so I didn’t want to wait so long to do it again,” joked Hennen, whose line with Kinne and Giesler totaled six points on the night for the home side.

Brookings efforted 13 third-period shots on Nelson after totaling just 12 shots in the first two periods, but the Bobcat goalie made a handful of key stops after Hennen’s second tally to preserve the two-goal margin for the Cats.

Matt Anders tacked on some major insurance for the Cats with 1:43 to go in regulation as Joe Giordano sprung free from the grasp of three Brookings defenders behind Deery’s net and found Anders alone in front for quick one-timer that boosted the black and gold to a 3-0 lead.

From there, the Bobcat forecheck and defense stymied the speedy Blizzard as Brookings failed to put another shot on Nelson after Anders’ third goal in four games, delivering the Bismarck native his first shutout of the 2012-13 season and his second career clean sheet.

Deery suffered the loss in net—only his second of the year—despite 22 saves.

With the victory, the Bobcats (12-10-2, 26 pts) are now even with the Blizzard (13-9-0, 26 pts) in the Central. The win also secured the Cats seven of a possible eight points on their grueling, four-games-in-four-nights Thanksgiving week slate.

“I’d have been happy with six of eight or even five of eight points this week,” admitted Sedevie, “but to get seven points this week is great. Our guys worked hard and earned some big wins the past four nights.”

The Bobcats strike out on the road once again Friday as they open a two-game series at Aberdeen with a 7:15 PM showdown at Odde Ice Center against the Wings for Game Three of the 2012-13 Titan Machinery Dakota Cup. The Cats currently lead the Dakota Cup by a count of 4-1 over the Wings.

Friday’s rivalry showdown will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide on the official internet television partner of the NAHL, FASTHockey, at http://nahl.fasthockey.com.  Pregame coverage gets under way at 6:45 PM.

Pro-rated season tickets for the 2012-13 season are now on sale—and going fast! Call the Bobcat Hockey office today at (701) 222-3300 to reserve your seats for another great season of Championship Entertainment.