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SPHL Vermilion County Bobcats

Bobcats Battle Through Quad City, Earn 4-3 Win

January 1, 2022 - SPHL (SPHL)
Vermilion County Bobcats News Release


Vermilion County came out of the holiday break still trying to find their footing against opponents in the SPHL, but they continue to improve steadily. Coach Nick Niedert has continuously preached work the systems and throughout the season the teams has found ways to execute, but the lack of a full 60-minute effort has eluded them. As the clock ticked closer to the end of 2021 the Bobcats looked to bring an edge to the ice.

It took just 4 seconds for fireworks to erupt as former Bobcat Tyler Chavez-Leech and Justin Portillo dropped the gloves at center ice and started to pound away at one another. Five minutes later, just as the first two combatants were ready to leave the box Richie Pinkowski and Ryan Devine joined the fray as well. After the second tilt things calmed down a bit physically and the Bobcats found the back of the net as Egor Borshchev put a pass directly across the netmouth that was tapped in by Declan Conway to give the Cats a 1-0 advantage. Four minutes later Tommy Stang was able to tap in a rebound from Shane Bennett past Ben Churchfield to tie the game at one.

The second period started off poorly for Vermilion County as after winning a draw and retreating into their own end Ben Boukal took a puck across the front of the net and as his stick was lifted the puck found its way behind Churchfield to make it 2-1 Storm. Six minutes later Houston Wilson showed off his speed getting by the defender and curled towards the net firing the puck past Di Salvo to tie the game at 2 a piece.

Both teams came out hungry for a win as the puck seemed to be one and done at each side until finally the Bobcats had zone possession and after a puck rebounded out to Justin Portillo he slapped it by DiSalvo to make it 3-2 Vermilion County. Six minutes later former Bobcat Tyler Chavez-Leech tapped in a rebound to tie the game at 3 a piece. 16 seconds after the goal Filip Virgili took an interference penalty which led to Vermilion County pushing the pace and a goal from Houston Wilson for the 4-3 lead. The Cats continued to push offensively and hung on for the 4-3 win.

Churchfield stopped 29 of 32.

The Bobcats are back at it on New Year's Day at 7pm against Quad City at the David S Palmer Arena. Tickets are available on vcbobcats.com or by stopping by the David S Palmer Box Office.

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