Bismarck Bests Wild In Shootout
Published on January 26, 2014 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
Wenatchee, WA. - A third period comeback forced extra time, but the visiting Bismarck Bobcats would top the Wenatchee Wild 4-3 in a six-round shootout, in front of a sell-out crowd of 4,020 Saturday night at the Town Toyota Center.
Each team scored once in the first period. Stanislav Dzakhov scored for Bismarck at 1:13, assisted by Tyler Dunagan and Jacob McDowell and for the Wild, Mitch Demario (Franklin, Wisconsin) scored on the power play from Brendan Harris (Las Vegas, Nevada) at 12:23, tying the game 1-1 after the opening 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Bobcats regained the lead on a power play goal by Huba Sekesi, assisted by Chris Diver and Nate Repensky at 8:55, for a 2-1 lead. The advantage would grow late in the period on a Dzakhov power play goal from Diver at 17:26, giving Bismarck a 3-1 lead after two.
A goal early in the third period for Wenatchee brought the home team within one, as Gadel Gumerov (Nizhnekamsk, Russia) banged home a rebound from the low slot. Omar Mullan (Dearborn, Michigan) drew the lone assist at 3:01, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The Wild would tie the game on a 5-on-3 power play. Mike Coyne (Kenmore, New York) scored in tight, off an assist from Mullan at 8:27, squaring the game at 3-3. Things would stay that way through the rest of regulation and the game would go to overtime.
In the extra session, both teams had great chances to end the game, but neither could light the lamp and the game would go to a deciding shootout.
In the shootout, Chris Diver scored in round six, giving the Bobcats the extra standings point, with the 4-3 win. "Extremely proud of the effort, especially in the third" said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach Bliss Littler. "We failed figuring out what the official was going to call. That's what got us." Littler continued, saying "I thought we played well. I thought in the first and the third, we showed we're playing very good hockey. Seven minors in the second period, you shoot yourself in the foot. Proud of the effort."
Wenatchee outshot Bismarck 32-30 on the night. Chase Perry (Andover, Minnesota) made 27 saves for the Wild, while Aaron Nelson had 29 stops for the Bobcats. Wenatchee was 2-for-6 on the power play and 9-of-11 on the penalty kill.
The Wild is now 19-17-5; Bismarck is 24-13-4.
Wenatchee returns to Alaska to face Kenai River for three January 30th, 31st and February 1st, then Fairbanks for three more February 6th, 7th and 8th, before returning home to face the Soo on February 14th and 15th. Individual and group game tickets for all home games are on sale now. Call 509.888.PUCK (7825).
North American Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2014
- Penalty Trouble Dooms Jackalopes in 4-1 Defeat to Amarillo - Odessa Jackalopes
- Trojans, Hilltoppers Earn Wins on First Day of Tomahawks Cup - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Tomahawks Announce 2014-15 Open Try-Out Camps - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Bobcats Win 3-2 Thriller over Wenatchee - Bismarck Bobcats
- Bismarck Bests Wild In Shootout - Wenatchee Wild
- Runners Bull over Brahmas - Topeka Pilots
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
