Bobcats Late Surge Comes up Empty
Published on November 26, 2015 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
BISMARCK, ND - Saddled with another large second-intermission deficit, the Bismarck Bobcats rallied but couldn't close, falling 6-4 Wednesday to the Brookings Blizzard at the VFW Sports Center.
Down 5-2 heading into the third period, the Bobcats barged their way right back into the game with 41 seconds off the clock as co-captain Joe Tyran fired a bad-angle shot that hit Brookings goalie Josh Kuehmichel and rolled into the net to slice the lead to 5-3.
Over the next 15-plus minutes, the Bobcats had numerous near-misses, but could not draw any closer until a late power play saw Tobias Fladeby rifle a one-timer from Jared Pike inside the right post to pull the Cats within one at 5-4 with 3:12 to go.
Brookings, however, would end the home side's comeback hopes 1:24 later when a Bobcat miscue at the Blizzard blue line sprung Nick Cardelli for a breakaway that he converted through netminder David Fessenden's legs to for his second of the night and the final 6-4 score.
It was the Bobcats who struck first Wednesday, as they did in the previous two games, taking a 1-0 lead 6:42 into the contest when Alex Strand slammed in a Patrik Demel rebound for his team-leading ninth goal of the year.
Despite the early surge by the Cats, consecutive power play goals from Brookings' Brett Callahan and Cardelli put Brookings 2-1 ahead after one.
That edge grew to 4-1 early in the second on back-to-back tallies from TJ Samec and Nick Ford, chasing Bobcat starting goalie Hunter Shepard.
The Cats got back on the board with 4:13 remaining in the frame when Willie Brown blasted a rising snap shot through traffic, but Brookings answered back 60 seconds later when Zach Mitchell cashed in on a Bobcat defensive-zone turnover to claim a 5-2 advantage after two.
Fessenden made eight saves in relief, but ended up taking the loss; Shepard also made eight saves but did not ultimately factor into the decision. Kuehmichel turned in a season-high 46 stops for his fifth win of the season.
Following a brief respite for Thanksgiving, the Bobcats will head south for a Saturday duel with the rival Aberdeen Wings at Odde Ice Center.
Saturday's installment of the Titan Machinery Dakota Cupwill 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 6:45pm.
Season tickets are still on sale for the 2015-16 season at a pro-rated price; if you want to beat the rush of over 40,000 fans for this year, now is the time! Call 222-3300 to reserve your seats today.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2015
- Amarillo Bulls Weekend Preview - Amarillo Bulls
- Weekend Preview - Philadelphia Rebels
- Brahmas Blanked by Wichita Falls - Lone Star Brahmas
- Bobcats Late Surge Comes up Empty - Bismarck Bobcats
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