Bobcats Rally Again to Edge Brookings in Overtime
BROOKINGS, SD – Faced with another multi-goal third period deficit, the Bismarck Bobcats unloaded four straight goals to upend the Brookings Blizzard 4-3 in overtime Saturday at the Larson Ice Center.
Trailing 2-0 after two periods, the Cats’ fell into a 3-0 hole 3:16 into the third when a broken play in transition landed the puck on the stick of Zach Mitchell, who chipped a short-range shot inside the right post for his fifth goal of the year.
A power play goal got the Bobcats on the board with 12:59 left in regulation as Jordan Fralich ripped a low shot from the right point that snuck through the five-hole of Brookings netminder Josh Boyko to cut the lead to 3-1.
Just 2:05 later, out of a media timeout, the Cats sliced the score to 3-2 on the rush when Tobias Fladeby threaded a cross-ice pass to Tristan Ashbrook, who buried a one-timer from the right wing circle.
After killing off a penalty to stay within one, the Bobcats pulled even with 7:02 left on the clock on a 60-footer from defenseman Jiei Halliday that wound through traffic and beat Boyko stick side, tying the game 3-3.
Each team got a power play in the final seven minutes, but neither the Bobcats nor Blizzard could break the deadlock, sending the game to overtime.
In the bonus frame, Brookings nearly earned the win when Cade Borchardt got free in the high slot but Bobcat goalie Will Ulrich flared out his blocker to knock the puck out of play and keep the game alive.
On the ensuing shift, the Bobcats turned the tide into the Blizzard zone where Jared Resseguie lobbed a pass into the low slot that Halliday deflected over Boyko’s glove and under the cross bar, lifting the Cats to another stirring 4-3 victory.
Brookings started the game hot, outshooting the Bobcats 16-6 in the first period and seizing a 1-0 advantage on a Taylor Schneider power play goal.
That lead grew to 2-0 with 10:02 gone in the second—moments after a power play ended—when defender Parker Revering ripped home a one-timer from the mid-slot to set the stage for the dramatic third period.
For the second straight night, Ulrich made 36 saves to pick up the win; Boyko stopped 21 shots but suffered his first overtime loss of the season.
A busy three-game holiday week awaits the Bobcats, starting with a pre-Thanksgiving party at home Wednesday with the Aberdeen Wings coming to the VFW Sports Center for a 7:15pm rivalry matchup.
Tickets are now on sale for Wednesday’s mid-week contest: fans can buy and print tickets online 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com or charge by phone at 222-3300.
Wednesday’s holiday dustup will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270 AM, and worldwide on HockeyTV.com–the web television partner of the North American Hockey League–with pregame coverage starting at 6:45pm.
Pro-rated season tickets are now on sale for the Bobcats’ landmark platinum anniversary campaign fans can get more information or reserve their seats for all of Season Twenty now by calling 222-3300.