Maine Takes Second Game of NAHL Showcase
Published on September 27, 2021 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Maine Nordiques News Release
Day Two of the NAHL Showcase in Blaine featured the Nords taking on the Bismarck Bobcats, with both teams looking for their first win of the season. The first period started with a good showing by Bismarck, a penalty eight minutes into the frame would turn the tide completely. The Nords got to the power play and added their first of 3 power-play goals of the period. Reese Farrell fired a shot towards net that initially got stopped and then put off the post by Iggy Belov, before Aidan Connolly would pot his first goal of the season to make it 1-0. The Nords would then swing to the 5 on 3 man advantage and make the most of it; Tyler Gaulin worked it around to Reese Farrell who generated another power-play goal but in an unusual way this time. On the shot his stick broke which fooled the Bobcats goalie and allowed Matt Connor to put the puck over his head and into the back of the net for his first of the season. Just two minutes later defenseman, Bryce Bollman, would snipe the water bottle off the net from just inside the blue line for his first tally of the season. The Nords didn't stop there, as they got on the man advantage once again and the veterans got to work. Reese Farrell worked it to Aidan Connolly who found Iggy Belov, who sniped one of the post and in for the Nords third power-play goal of the period; his first goal on the young campaign. The Nords also got a flashy glove save from rookie, Gus Holt, in the frame. 4-0 all Nords after the first 20 minutes of play
The second period featured a good comeback from the Bobcats. Bismarck needed a good bounce back, which they got it with a bit of help from the Nords gaining three penalties. Just five minutes into the frame the Nords would head to the sin bin for slashing. Bismarck would get their first of the game less than a minute later. Around the midway mark of the frame and once again the Cats would make the Nords pay to cut the lead in half. The Nords would take their third slashing call of the frame, but kill it off to stop the bleeding and end the period still up 4-2.
The Nords needed a strong third period showing to preserve the lead and take home their first win of the season. The Nords got some good offensive chances, but the cats were able to come up with some big stops. The Bobcats took a timeout with 2:34 left in the third period, the Nordiques used this time to settle down and get instruction from coaches, Nolan Howe and Matt Pinchevsky. The Bobcats pulled their goalie and threw everything they had at the Nords; with 35 seconds left Reese Farrell almost sealed the deal with a point-blank empty netter but it was blocked. The Bobcats then had a good offensive chance shut down by Gus Holt, Tyler Gaulin then hopped on his horse, stick lifted the puck free and sealed the deal for the Nords first win of the season 5-2 Over Bismarck.
The Nords are back in action tomorrow at 6:30 Eastern time against the Kenai River Brown Bears who they are 4-0 against all time.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2021
- Bannister Named NAHL's East Division's Second Star of the Week; Takacs Is Honorable Mention - New Jersey Titans
- O'Neill Earns NAHL Central Star of the Week - St. Cloud Norsemen
- El Paso Set to Host Hockeyville After Year Delay - El Paso Rhinos
- NAHL Announces Stars of the Week - NAHL
- Michael Mesic Commits to Northern Michigan - North Iowa Bulls
- Maine Nordiques First Season Game in Blaine, MN - Maine Nordiques
- Maine Takes Second Game of NAHL Showcase - Maine Nordiques
- Nords Take Game 3 of the NAHL Showcase - Maine Nordiques
- Nords Leave Blaine 2-2 Record - Maine Nordiques
- Nords Win with a 3-0 Shut Out - Maine Nordiques
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