BISMARCK, ND – The Bismarck Bobcats capitalized on a big first period and held off the visiting Aberdeen Wings in their preseason finale Saturday, defeating their closest geographic rival 4-2 at the VFW Sports Center.
The ‘Cats jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a 5-on-3 powerplay strike from defenseman Mike Malady, who ripped home a one-time blast just 2:50 into the game.
Mid-way through a feisty opening frame—one that saw the two sides combine for 15 penalties—Bobcat forward Trevor Landgraf batted home a floating Grant Mindt rebound to extend the home side’s edge to 2-0.
Bismarck forward Cody Bisbing capped the Bobcats’ first-period outburst with 2:54 to go in the frame, depositing the rebound from a Dan Kovar attempt into the Aberdeen net for a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Wings forward Cody Marooney staged a one-man rally for the visitors, however, pouring in two straight goals nearly a period apart—4:06 into the second and 1:56 into the third, respectively—on virtually identical bad-angle bank-in attempts to cut the Bobcats’ lead to 3-2 early in the final frame.
The Bobcats steadied defensively after Marooney’s goals, blocking shots and clearing rebounds away from the net of goalie Dan Harper, and got a little late insurance as Jacob McDowell made the most of a shorthanded 2-on-1, making a pretty move to beat the Wings defense and goalie Trent Caspar to give the ‘Cats the final 4-2 margin.
The win lifted the Bobcats to a 2-0-0 finish to the preseason heading into next week’s Sherbrook NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn.
The defending champs will raise the curtain on their 13th season Wednesday at 1:30 PM against the expansion Fresno Monsters, led by former Bobcat goaltender Jake Williams.
Wednesday’s season opener will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at http://nahl.fasthockey.com/. Pre-game coverage for the 2010-11 lid-lifter will begin at 1:00 PM CT.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2010-11 season! Call the Bobcat Hockey office at (701) 222-3300 or email gobobcathockey@aol.com for more information on reserving your seats for the entire season as the Bobcats look to defend the Robertson Cup!
BOBCAT HOCKEY
2010 ROBERTSON CUP CHAMPIONS