Bobcats Outlast Bulls, 3-2 in Thriller
BISMARCK, ND – The Bismarck Bobcats were back on home ice this Friday to take on the North Iowa Bulls for the first time this season.
The 1st period was a back and forth affair with each team trading blows in the scoring department. Jakub Kopecky got the party started for the Bobcats as he skated to the right wing, dipped the shoulder, and one-handed the puck through the legs of North Iowa goaltender Kyle Ozgun. Later in the period, on a 5-on-3 power play, the Bulls drew even on a centering pass in the slot that beat Bismarck, ND, native goaltender Kai Weigel point blank. As we said though, it was a back and forth period and Bismarck would notch a tally of their own on the power play. Chase Reid saw space and took it as he walked to the top of the near side circle and picked his spot, over the glove of Ozgun to restore the one-goal lead. Then in the closing minutes of the period, North Iowa would tie the game on a rebound in front of the cage. The period would end tied with North Iowa and Bismarck both notching double digits in the shots on goal category.
Things slowed down in the 2nd period in terms of shots and in the scoring column, but it was Bismarck gaining the advantage. Reid once again made a great play, as he patiently out-waited the goaltender, circled the cage, and centered the pass to Josh Lehto, who tapped it into the open net. That made it 3-2 in favor of Bismarck which is where the period would end. Through 40 minutes of play both teams had registered a power play goal and five power plays a side.
The 3rd period was dominance for the Bobcats. They came out with a ton of offensive zone pressure and sustained time in the zone. They were able to fend off a North Iowa power play mid-way through the period and as the period went on, the Bulls pulled the goaltender with just over two minutes remaining following an icing call on the Bobcats. Those last two minutes North Iowa threw everything but the kitchen sink toward the net, but the Bobcats defense, and Weigel stood their ground as the final horn sounded.
The Bobcats improve to 16-1-1 on the season, while the Bulls fall to 9-8-0. The Bobcats now hold a nine-point first place lead in the Central Division standings.
The next Bobcats game is tomorrow, Saturday, November 16th, @ 7:15 P.M. vs. North Iowa Bulls. Be sure to come celebrate Military Appreciation Weekend and stick around for the custom painted helmet auction following the conclusion of the game.
Tickets are available here, or by calling the office at 390-7422.