Bobcats Slip up 4-1 in Regular Season Finale
April 10, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
RICHFIELD, MN - With the division's top seed already in hand from the night before, the Bismarck Bobcats changed up their lineup to mixed results Saturday, falling behind early en route to a 4-1 defeat in at the hands of the Minnesota Magicians' at Richfield Ice Arena in both teams' final regular season game.
On a night where the Cats had four reconfigured forward lines and three different defensive pairings from the previous contest, the Magicians capitalized quickly before the Bobcats could gel: getting a power play goal from Kyle Wagner and a late tap-in by John Peterson to seize a 2-0 lead after one period.
Johnny Panvica kept Minnesota's offense flowing in the second, snapping a back-door one-timer from Casey Jerry in past first-year goalie Bobcat goalie Nick Althaus to push the score to 3-0 just 5:33 into the middle frame.
Blueliner Pieter von Steinbergs righted the ship for the visitors with 4:10 left in the frame, taking a cross-ice pass from Harrison Aide and guiding a low shot that beat Minnesota netminder Daniil Gerasimov in traffic to make it a 3-1 contest after two.
Winger Nick Alexander nearly brought the Bobcats within one in the opening minute of the third, sending a low shot from the right wing circle that crept through Gerasimov's five-hole but skidded wide past the left post.
That would be as close as the Cats would get; Minnesota's Tanner Tweeten would put the finishing touches on the scoring with a 5-on-3 power play goal with 12:27 to go for the game's final 4-1 count.
Althaus fell to 2-2-0 on his first NAHL campaign despite 23 saves; Gerasimov made 31 stops to finish the year 3-3-1.
The Bobcats now turn their attention to Game One of the Central Division Semifinals-Friday at 7:15pm-where they'll face the Brookings Blizzard at the VFW Sports Center to open the 2016 Robertson Cup Playoffs.
Tickets are now on sale for the first weekend of the 2016 postseason: fans can buy and print online at BismarckBobcats.com, by clicking "Shop Now" on the team Facebook page or charge-by-phone during normal business hours at 222-3300.
Friday's playoff opener 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 6:45pm.
Tickets are now on sale for the Cats' run in the 2016 Robertson Cup Playoffs and are already going fast! Lock in yours for the entire playoff run by signing up for 2016-17 season tickets today.
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from April 10, 2016
- Three Rebels Receive NAHL Monthly League Honors - Philadelphia Rebels
- Wings Come up One Point Short - Aberdeen Wings
- Miller's Pair Help Bruins Finish Regular Season with Win - Austin Bruins
- Knights Adding New Junior Hockey Team - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
- Bobcats Slip up 4-1 in Regular Season Finale - Bismarck Bobcats
- Amarillo Bulls Dump Odessa 6-1 to Close Regular Season - Amarillo Bulls
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.
