Bobcats Headed Back to Playoffs Despite OT Setback
March 11, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
AUSTIN, MN - Despite dropping a 1-0 overtime decision to the Austin Bruins Friday at Riverside Arena, the Bismarck Bobcats earned a point in the standings to sew up their eighth consecutive berth in the Robertson Cup Playoffs.
That point for surviving regulation clinched the Cats (31-16-2, 64 pts) a spot in the Central Division Semifinals over both Minnesota (19-25-7, 45 pts) and Brookings (19-26-6, 44 pts); thanks to Minot's home win over Brookings, however, the Bobcats slipped one point behind the Minotauros (30-17-5, 65 pts) for first place in the division with 11 games left.
Bobcat goalie Hunter Shepard and Austin netminder Kris Carlson dazzled on Friday, combining for 53 saves in the first three periods, including highlight reel-level denials by each in the third.
Also relevant were the teams' penalty kills: the Bruins wiped out all five Bobcat man advantages, while the Cats negated each of the four power plays Austin amassed in the first 60 minutes of hockey.
The only shot Austin mustered in the bonus frame proved pivotal as a Paul O'Connor centering pass deflected to Jacob Paganelli, who lifted a close-quarters shot over Shepard's glove 3:08 into overtime to deal the Cats their first 3-on-3 defeat of the season at 1-0.
Shepard turned in 27 saves but suffered his first post-regulation loss of the season; Carlson stopped all 28 shots efforted his way for his fourth shutout of the season.
Now the Bobcats- who also clinched their season series over the Bruins with Friday's point- will endeavor to split with the reigning division champs with a 7:05pm rematch that marks their final regular-season meeting.
Saturday's grudge match will be broadcast live locally on SuperTalk 1270, KLXX-AM, the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, and worldwide online at NAHL.FASTHockey.com- the official web television partner of the North American Hockey League- with pregame coverage starting at 6:35pm.
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