MINOT, ND–Despite 32 huge saves from Bobcat rookie goalie Scott Albertoni (Arvada, CO), a lack of offense dealt the Bismarck Bobcats a tough 2-1 loss to the Minotauros in Minot Sunday night.
Bismarck (23-12-4) managed just 18 shots on goal, an effort that carried a 1-0 Bismarck lead to the third period, but no further, as Minot (16-20-3) scored two in the final frame, including the gamewinner at 18:50 to turn the Bobcats away on their first of six straight road games.
Minotauro Jake Johnson scored the fourth short-handed goal the Bobcats have allowed this season at of the third to tie a game led 1-0 by Bismarck since the first. Max Pernham then finished a flurry in the Bobcat zone by beating the glove hand of Albertoni on a rush at 18:50 of the third to seal the win.
Bobcat Nate Repensky (Duluth, MN) scored the lone Bismarck goal at 14:47 of the first on a blast from the right point that snuck by Minotauro backstopper Brandon Wildung, giving the Bobcats a 1-0 lead they would hold to the third.
The lead could not stand up to a 34-18 Minot shots advantage, however, and the effort by Albertoni, his best of the season, was left empty.
The Bobcats continue their six-game road trip to Wenatchee, WA, where the face the Wenatchee Wild Friday and Saturday night. Games will be heard at 9:05 p.m. on Supertalk 1270, KLXX, the official voice of Bobcat hockey.