NAHL Bismarck Bobcats

Rally Starts Too Late as Cats Fall to Minot

Published on December 19, 2015 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release


MINOT, ND - Down by three with less than half a period to go in regulation, the Bismarck Bobcats' attempt at a comeback was cut short as the Minot Minotauros pulled away on a late penalty shot to top the Cats 4-2 Friday at Maysa Arena and halt the visitors' win streak at five games.

When Austin Martinsen redirected a back door pass from Jared Brandt in with 12:34 left in the game to give Minot a 3-0 lead, the Bobcats' hopes seemed dim.

Jared Pike, however, gave the Cats a sliver of hope with 7:57 on the clock, redirecting a Harrison Aide shot inside the right post for a power play goal to spoil Minot goalie Lucas Murray's shutout bid and bring the score to 3-1.

Just 24 seconds later, Travis Wood took an entry pass from Aide after a neutral zone pileup and drove a snap shot over Murray's glove to quickly bring the Bobcats within one at 3-2.

Wood's fifth of the year would be as close as the Bobcats would get; Minot clamped down defensively-not allowing another shot to make it to Murray-and Derek Frentz cashed in a penalty shot with 2:33 left to help the home side close out a 4-2 win to snap a four-game losing skid.

Following a scoreless first, the Minotauros exploded to a two-goal lead late in the second, getting a shorthanded goal from Jake Dittel followed 44 seconds later by Frentz's first of the night on a broken play from Johnny Walker for a 2-0 score after two periods.

Bobcat netminder Hunter Shepard collected 21 saves but saw his personal six-game win streak go by the boards; Murray needed just 16 stops to improve to 3-1-0 against the Cats in 2015-16.

The Bobcats now turn their attention to their final home game before the Christmas break when they host the Brookings Blizzard at the VFW Sports Center Saturday at 7:15pm.

Saturday's game against Brookings will be the Bobcats' Holiday Party and Teddy Bear Toss Night-with stuffed animals thrown onto the ice being donated to Toys for Tots, Carrie's Kids and the Sanford Hospital Children's Wing. Fans who bring a stuffed animal to throw will receive a free poster.

Tickets for Saturday's third annual Teddy Bear Toss are on sale now: fans can buy and print online at BismarckBobcats.com, by clicking "Shop Now" on the team Facebook page or charge-by-phone at 222-3300.

Teddy Bear Toss Night 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.

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.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2015


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