Bobcats' Rally Falls Short in Preseason Opener
MINOT, ND — The Bismarck Bobcats nearly pulled off a stirring comeback in the third period of their first exhibition game against the Minot Minotauros but could not find the equalizer, falling 3-2 Friday at Maysa Arena.
Facing down a 3-0 deficit after two periods, the Bobcats got on the board with 14:50 left in the third as defenseman Tony German laced a point shot through traffic and in past a screened out Cody Foster to cut the lead to two.
"The forward gave me a little space at the blue line and I used it to get into a better shooting lane," explained German, a former Bismarck High Demon. "The forwards did a great job of creating traffic to give the shot a chance."
German would have a hand in the Cats' next tally as well, looping a low shot wide of Foster's net that rookie forward Matt Perry fought past a defender and in to slice the Minot advantage to 3-2 with 9:39 to go.
The Cats had numerous chances after Perry's strike, as Connor Kelly had an open rebound attempt that hopped over his stick and Tanner Salsberry got a good screen in front but couldn't find the cage.
Time expired on the visitors' comeback hopes after a high-sticking call in the Tauros' zone sent a decisive faceoff to the other end of the ice with 29 seconds left.
"You've got to give a lot of credit to our younger guys tonight," stated Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, "they were down and not catching too many bounces and they still dug deep and nearly got back even [Friday]."
Minot struck first Friday, getting a goal in transition with 19 seconds left in the first period courtesy of Krisztian Nagy.
The Tauros then got running goals in the second from Wes Iverson and Cameron Rowat to build their lead to 3-0 after 40 minutes, which would be good enough to take the victory.
Friday's loss marks the Cats' first preseason defeat since September 12, 2009, when they dropped a 3-2 decision to the Alexandria Blizzard. It is also the Sedevie's first preseason loss behind the bench; he was previously 7-0 in the preseason.
Both sides will reconvene Saturday as the home-and-home set shifts south to the VFW Sports Center for the teams' preseason finale at 7:15 PM.
Fans can buy tickets for Saturday's intrastate tilt online at BismarckBobcats.com or charge by phone at 222-3300.
Saturday's rivalry rematch will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide on the internet television partner of the North American Hockey League, NAHL.FASTHockey.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 6:45 PM.
Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are now on sale–and going fast! Reserve your seats for the new season, including the brand new Dasher Bar, by calling the Bobcat Hockey office at 222-3300.