BISMARCK, ND – Ryan Faragher locked down his second career playoff shutout and the Bismarck Bobcats’ offense provided a steady attack as the Cats blanked the Coulee Region Chill 4-0 in Game Three of the Central Division Finals Friday at the VFW Sports Center, claiming a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
Faragher, whose first career postseason goose-egg came in the 2010 national championship game against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, shut down all 26 shots he faced Friday.
“The defense and forwards were awesome tonight,” noted Faragher, who is now 3-1 in the 2011 Robertson Cup Playoffs, “they slowed the Coulee Region attack really well and kept most of the shots to the outside. When the chances came from close in, the guys were there to make the block and help me out.”
Charlie Mosey gave the Cats an early burst of offense on the power play, redirecting a point shot from Donald Olivieri over Chill goalie Paul Moberg to post the home side to a 1-0 lead 3:03 into the game.
Frank DeAugustine extended the Bobcats’ lead with 14:06 left in the second period, taking a transition feed from Blake Schammel and muscling a rising shot off Moberg’s glove and in for a 2-0 edge.
“Blake hit me with a great pass into the zone, but to be honest I was looking to give it back to him the whole way,” admitted a smiling DeAugustine, “but Coulee’s ‘D’ sealed him off so I had to pull it back to my forehand and get it on net.”
DeAugustine followed up with his fourth goal in the last two games 4:30 into the third, turning a Schammel steal into a point-blank scoring chance, which the Burgettstown, Penn., native converted with a top-shelf wrister to boost the Cats to a 3-0 cushion.
Bismarck native Tyler Richter, hounded by penalty troubles through the middle portion of the game, scored his first career playoff goal on the power play with 8:56 left in the game, taking an Oliveri rebound off the post and depositing it past Moberg for the final 4-0 margin.
The Bobcat power play finished the night 2-for-4, giving the special teams unit five goals in the Central Finals.
A capacity crowd of 1,381 roared its approval down the stretch as Faragher and the Bobcat defense stymied the Coulee Region attack to nail down the shutout.
“I can’t say enough about our crowd,” beamed Bobcats head coach Layne Sedevie. “The lift they gave our guys after goals, blocked shots… everything. It was an incredible atmosphere tonight. Talk about home-ice advantage.”
Moberg made 31 saves but fell to 1-2 in the 2011 playoffs.
The Central Division Finals continue with Game Four—the Bobcats’ final home game of 2010-11—Saturday at 7:15 PM at the VFW Sports Center. If necessary, Game Five will be at the Omni Center in Onalaska, Wis., on Monday at 7:00 PM.
Saturday’s home finale 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 will begin at 6:45 PM CT.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2011-12 season! Call the Bobcat Hockey office at (701) 222-3300 or email gobobcathockey@aol.com for more information on reserving your seats for next season!
BOBCAT HOCKEY
2010 ROBERTSON CUP CHAMPIONS