Mighty Rally Comes up One Goal Short for Bobcats
Published on November 12, 2016 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
BISMARCK, ND - Down four goals with less than half of the third period to work with, the Bismarck Bobcats staged a stirring comeback but came up short by the thinnest of margins, suffering their first home loss of 2016-17 by a 4-3 score to the Minnesota Wilderness Saturday at the VFW Sports Center.
Already facing a 3-0 deficit after two periods, the Bobcats fell into a 4-0 hole with 9:19 left in regulation when the Wilderness tallied their third consecutive power play goal on a Jesse Farabee put-back of a Louis Roehl point shot to quiet the crowd of 1,116.
Defenseman Jiei Halliday gave the home side a pulse with 5:57 on the clock, speeding into the Minnesota zone and breaking the spell of netminder Trevor Micucci with a low slap shot inside the left post to bring the Bobcats within a 4-1 margin.
Just 40 seconds later, the Saturday crowd exploded with optimism when winger Parker Mismash uncorked a long, low shot that trickled through Micucci's five-hole and barely over the goal line to cut the score to 4-2.
Sensing a major shift in momentum, Bobcat head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie pulled goalie Will Ulrich with 3:15 left for an extra attacker. From the resulting offensive zone pressure, blueliner Jordan Fralich made that move pay off by weaving a low shot that banked in off a Minnesota defender with 1:01 to go for a 4-3 count.
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, 61 seconds was not enough time left to find an equalizer as the Wilderness circled the wagons and held the Bobcat offense at bay in the neutral and defensive zones for the last minute of regulation to cling to a 4-3 decision.
Minnesota jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead 4:38 into the game thanks to a well-placed shot in transition from Zach Mills that beat Ulrich stick side as the Bobcat defense closed in on the speedy forward.
In a second period that saw five separate minor penalties called on the Bobcats, the Wilderness bookended the period with power play goals from Tristan Rostagno and Alexander Esbjors to carry a 3-0 advantage into the final intermission.
Ulrich submitted 25 saves but slipped back to .500 on the year at 7-7-1; Micucci made 40 saves-including 19 in the third-to earn his second career win.
The Bobcats will stay home for a major rivalry showdown on Friday when the division-leading Minot Minotauros come to town for a 7:15pm contest at the VFW Sports Center.
Tickets are on sale right now for Minot's first visit to the capital: fans can buy and print tickets 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com or charge-by-phone at 222-3300.
Friday's chapter in the Battle of Highway 83 will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270 AM, and worldwide on HockeyTV.com-the web television partner of the North American Hockey League-with pregame coverage starting at 6:45pm.
Pro-rated season tickets are now on sale for the Bobcats' landmark platinum anniversary campaign fans can get more information or reserve their seats for all of Season Twenty now by calling 222-3300.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2016
- Jackalopes Win First Home Game of the 20th Season - Odessa Jackalopes
- Mighty Rally Comes up One Goal Short for Bobcats - Bismarck Bobcats
- RECAP -- IceRays Edged in Tight Game by Brahmas, 2-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Waring Leads Wildcats to Fourth Straight Win over Bulls - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Johnstown Tomahawks November 12, 2016 - Johnstown Tomahawks
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