Bobcats Sweep Mallards, Clinch League Title

The Bismarck Bobcats were back on home ice for a series against the Minnesota Mallards.  

Friday night was Brave The Shave night, one of the biggest nights of the season for the Bobcats and in front of a sold out crowd, they got the party started. Julian Beaumont got to the front of the net to push home a scramble at the top of the crease to give the Bobcats the 1-0 lead in the late stages of the 1st period. The Bobcats would take that lead heading into the 2nd period.     

The 2nd period saw the Bobcats once again take control, but tempers certainly flared as between both teams there were a total of 20 penalty minutes issued. The Cats would find the insurance goal near the midway point of the period as Sasha Kim one-timed the puck into the back of the net off of a feed from below the goal line courtesy of Josh Lehto. Bismarck would take the 2-0 lead heading into the 3rd period.      

Next up on the scoresheet was Tommy Cronin as he sniped a puck into the top corner near the middle of the 3rd period to give the Bobcats a 3-goal lead. Bismarck would not be denied a 4th, as the centerman on the Cronin, Beaumont line, Keanu Krenn, would tack on a goal on a back-door tap in to give the Bobcats the 4-0 lead. The final buzzer would sound as for the first time since the 2015-16 season, the Bismarck Bobcats were crowned Regular Season Central Division Champions. 

Tomas Anderson stopped all 22 shots that came his way for his 8th shutout of the season, but just as important it was his 35th win of the season, which is a new franchise record for single season wins by a goaltender. The record was held by former Bobcat Hunter Shepard (2015-16). 

Moving ahead to Saturday’s game, it certainly wasn’t as cut and dry for the Bobcats. Under a minute into the game, the Mallards would open up the scoring on a deflection out in front and take the 1-0 lead. However, Cronin and Krenn would combine once again as Krenn would get past his defender and backhand one home to tie the game at 1, just a minute and 10 seconds into the game. 2 minutes later the Mallards regained the lead, once again off of a deflection in front. The Bobcats would respond, however, in the late stages as Kyle Doll would sneak one through the midsection of goaltender Hunter Bauer to tie the game at 2. The Bobcats outshot the Mallards 15-8 in the 1st period.  

The 2nd period saw the Mallards once again regain the lead, but not until the last 3 minutes of the 2nd period. The Cats got caught in a bad change and the Mallards converted on the 2 on 1. Once again, however, the Bobcats had the answer. Doll would score his 2nd of the game mere seconds after Minnesota took the lead. Bismarck dominated the 2nd period outshooting Minnesota 19-3.    

The 3rd period felt like a period where neither team wanted to make a mistake. Shots on goal were just 6-3, in favor of Bismarck. Both goalies shut the door and the game would require an overtime period.

The Mallards would get the first shot of overtime as they got an opportunity just 7 seconds in, but the Bobcats won the ensuing faceoff and came down the other way. The Co-Captain Ian Engel gained the zone with speed and sniped one high blocker to send the fans home happy.

With the win the Bobcats clinched the NAHL Regular Season Title for the first time in franchise history.  

Next weekend the Bobcats are splitting a weekend series. Friday they are on the road to take on the Minot Minotauros, before returning back home on Saturday to take on Minot. Tickets are available by calling 390-7422 or by logging onto BismarckBobcats.com