Bobcats Shutout By Bruins
The Bismarck Bobcats hit the road once again for the final road weekend of the regular season to take on the Austin Bruins.
The Bobcats would have the advantage in shots after 20 minutes of action, but neither team would find the back of the net. Austin goaltender Jack Solomon stood tall, stopping all 10 shots in the opening frame as Bryce Francisco also stopped all 7 shots that he saw.
Moving to the 2nd period Austin would break the deadlock just about 6 minutes into the period. Francisco was screened in front of the net, and Coleman let one rip from the slot area which deflected into the back of the net, making it a 1-0 contest in favor of the Bruins. That would serve as the only goal of the 2nd period as the Bruins would take a 1-0 lead going into the 3rd.
Looking at the 3rd period, just like the rest of the game, it was so tight defensively, however, Austin began to get more grade A chances, which Francisco would answer the call. With the goaltender pulled, the Cats threw everything but the kitchen sink, but it would be Austin finding the empty net and skating away with the 2-0 shutout victory. It was the 1st time all season that the Bobcats had been shutout.
Francisco stopped 26/27 in the loss.
Moving to Saturday night, the opening period of action was quite the similar fate for both teams as the game was scoreless after 20 minutes. Austin had 2 power plays in the 1st period, but the Bobcat penalty kill held up strong. Shots after the first 20 minutes read 10-9 in favor of Austin.
The 2nd period would once again be the difference in the game. The Bruins opened the scoring just about 5 minutes into the period and would take control there, eventually scoring 3 goals in the middle frame and taking a commanding lead into the 3rd period.
The Cats threw everything at the Bruins in the 3rd, outshooting them 12-5 and even pulling the goaltender for the final 7 minutes of the game. Solomon would stand tall, however, and shut the door on the Bobcats as the Cats would fail to score a goal on the entire weekend.
Austin skated away with the 3-0 victory and the weekend sweep, securing the top seed in the Central Division playoffs as they claimed the Regular Season Central Division Championship.
The Bobcats will be the #2 seed in the Central Division Playoffs with their first round opponent, for the 3rd straight year, being the Aberdeen Wings. The playoffs begin April 17th and 18th at the VFW Sports Center.
Before we get into playoffs, however, the Bobcats are back on home ice this weekend to close out the regular season against the Minot Minotauros. Saturday night is the Ring Ceremony, commemorating the 2025 Robertson Cup Champion Bismarck Bobcats. Players from last year’s team will be in attendance to accept their rings during the 1st intermission. Tickets are still available for that weekend by heading over to tickets.bismarckbobcats.com or call/text the Bobcat Hotline at 701-390-7422.