Bobcats Stunned in Final Minute at Brookings
BROOKINGS, SD – After battling back to tie a close game in the third period, the Bismarck Bobcats dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to the Brookings Blizzard on a last-minute goal Friday at the Larson Ice Center.
Trailing 1-0 through two periods, the Bobcats evened the score on the power play just 35 seconds into the final frame when J.M. Piotrowski slammed in a Matt Perry rebound on a net-front scramble.
Bidding to take the lead, the Bobcats created numerous chances after Piotrowski’s equalizer, but were turned away at every juncture by Blizzard goalie Eric Hancock.
When it seemed like the game was poised to head to overtime, Brookings defender Eddie Eades found Viktor Lindell trailing an up-ice rush and Lindell sent a low shot through traffic in front of Bobcat netminder Hunter Shepard that squeaked through the rookie’s five-hole, giving the hosts the lead with 28 seconds left.
Brookings stymied the Cats after the go-ahead goal, allowing just one shot from 30 feet out in the final half minute to seal up the win, dealing the Bobcats their season-high fourth consecutive defeat.
The only goal of the first two periods belonged to Blizzard defenseman Joe Nathe, who sailed a low liner through traffic that beat Shepard blocker side 5:16 into the second.
Shepard took the loss despite a 19-save outing; Hancock secured his fifth win on just 16 stops.
Both sides will reconvene Saturday at the VFW Sports Center as the home-and-home series shifts to the Capital City at 7:15pm.
Tickets are now on sale for Saturday’s grudge match: fans can buy and print their tickets 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com or charge by phone at 222-3300.
Live coverage of Saturday’s weekend finale will begin at 6:45pm locally on SuperTalk 1270, KLXX-AM, the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, and worldwide online at NAHL.FASTHockey.com, the official web television partner of the North American Hockey League.
Though the 2014-15 season is now under way, there is still time to order season tickets for the year; fans who want to lock in their seats for the entire campaign should call the Bobcat office at 222-3300 today!