Bobcats Blanked on New Year's Day
January 2, 2022 - SPHL (SPHL)
Vermilion County Bobcats News Release
Vermilion County entered the weekend looking to battle their way out of the basement of the SPHL and after getting the monkey off their back and finally beating Quad City after beginning the year 0-5-1 against them. The last two matchups saw the Bobcats pushing offensively and finding ways to secure points leading into a matchup on Saturday night that could propel VC into 9th place in the SPHL with a win.
Despite home ice advantage the Cats came out playing a defensive style of hockey that allowed the Storm to begin a surge of shots against Ben Churchfield. Though defensively Vermilion County was able to keep the shot count down, the time of possession numbers kept climbing and eventually played into Quad City's favor as both Tommy Tsicos and Matt Stoia were able to find the back of the net to make it 2-0 after 20 minutes of play.
The intermission talk from head coach Nick Niedert must have woken up the Bobcats however as they came out on the attack throwing everything they could at Storm goaltender Sammy Bernard and outshooting Quad City 13-6 in the second period. Unfortunately for the home team a lot of the shots were one and done and they could not generate rebounds for opportunities. The Storm were able to find the net again as Shane Bennett once again found the back of the net to make it 3-0.
The final frame saw the Bobcats on the penalty kill for much of the third, but they did not allow anything for Quad City despite 3 power play opportunities that included a 5 on 3. The Cats continued to try to push but could only muster 4 shots on goal during the third and after a Connor Fries tally at 19:04 the Storm seemed content to kill clock and take the shutout, the first of the year for Bernard and return to Quad City.
Churchfield stopped 27 of 31 in the loss.
The Bobcats return home on Friday January 7th to take on the Evansville Thunderbolts and it is Faith and Family night! Get your tickets by going to VCBobcats.com or stopping by the David S Palmer Box Office!
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SPHL Stories from January 2, 2022
- Bobcats Blanked on New Year's Day - Vermilion County Bobcats
- Hagaman Nets 300th Point as Rivermen Rout Thunderbolts - Peoria Rivermen
- Thunderbolts Fall 6-2 in Peoria - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Rivermen Winning Streak Ends in 7-3 Loss - Peoria Rivermen
- Thunderbolts Start 2022 with 7-3 Rout of Rivermen - Evansville Thunderbolts
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