NAHL Bismarck Bobcats

Serratore's Last-Second Score Boosts Bobcats

Published on November 22, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release


OWATONNA, MN - Bismarck Bobcats forward Tim Serratore firedthe puck past Owatonna Express goalie Chris Paliafito with 19 seconds left inregulation to snap a four-all tie and lift the Bobcats to a 5-4 win in aclassic contest between the top two teams in the Central Division at the FourSeasons Center on Sunday.

The win gives the 'Cats a 3-0-0 sweep of theirthree-games-in-three-nights weekend at Alexandria and Owatonna and givesBismarck (12-7-5, 29 pts) a four-point lead over the Express (12-6-1, 25 pts)for first place in the Central.

It was the Express who had early control of the contest,however, as the home team struck at the 11:09 mark of the first period whenOwatonna forward Dan Cecka turned a Bobcat defensive zone turnover into hisfifth goal of the year and a 1-0 Express edge.

Just 24 seconds later Chris Darnell rocketed a transitionshot past Bobcat netminder Ryan Massa to make it a 2-0 lead for the home sidewith 10:45 left in the first.

The Bobcats would respond seven minutes later as leadinggoal-scorer Ryan Jacobson notched his 13th tally of the year, firinga Devin Schmitt end-boards rebound past Paliafito's glove to cut the lead to2-1 heading into the first intermission.

Nick Jensen took over for the Bobcats in the second,blistering a snapshot by Paliafito just 61 seconds into the middle frame to tiethe game at two.

Owatonna wasted no time in striking back, collecting a JakeYouso goal with 16:44 left in the second for a 3-2 Express edge.

Jensen wasn't done scoring, though, as he took a SamDougherty pass off a face-off in the Owatonna zone and slid a backhanderthrough Paliafito's legs to restore the tie at 3-3 after two periods.

The Bobcats' power play would open the scoring in the thirdwhen Sam Rendle weaved a wrist shot from the point through traffic and betweenPaliafito's legs to give the 'Cats a 4-3 advantage 3:03 into the third.

That lead lasted exactly 31 seconds, however; Expressforward Zach Vierling dislodged the puck from the Bobcat defense in theBismarck end and tipped it to captain Cory Thorson, who rocketed a one-timerpast Massa to set the stage for the thrilling ending.

Massa turned away 27 Express shots to pick up his fifthstraight win and improve to 6-4-1 in 2009-10.

Paliafito registered just 22 saves and fell to 1-4-0 on theyear.

The Bobcats return to action Thursday for a specialThanksgiving night game against the Alexandria Blizzard at 7:15 PM at the VFWSports Center.

The game will be broadcast locally on the radio home ofBobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at BismarckBobcats.comvia B2 Networks. The pre-game show starts at 6:45 PM.

You won't wantto miss any of the games this season, so order your Season Tickets, FamilyPacks and Group Nights today by calling the Bobcat Hockey Office at701-222-3300 or by e-mailing the office for more information at gobobcathockey@aol.com.

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North American Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2009


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