Game Preview
Bismarck Bobcats vs. Johnstown Tomahawks
September 21, 2013
10:30 a.m. (EST)
Schwans Super Rink, Blaine, MN
By Ed Sheets
TODAY’S MATCHUP
After yesterday’s 3-0 victory, the Tomahawks look to make it two straight wins as they take on the Bismarck Bobcats in the NAHL Showcase finale for both teams. This will be the first meeting between Johnstown and Bismarck, and the only meeting between these two teams during the regular season.
THE TOMAHAWKS
Thanks to three goals and an impressive performance by Colin DeAugustine, the Tomahawks defeated the Aberdeen Wings 3-0 on Friday afternoon.
DeAugustine stopped all 17 shots he faced and made several key third period saves on his way to his first win and shutout of the season. Cody Gylling scored two points and Brandon Reinholz got his third goal in two games in the win.
After a scoreless first period, Reinholz got the Tomahawks on the board at 4:18. The goal gives Reinholz four points in three showcase games. Joe Drabin added an assist to extend his point scoring streak to three games.
Alex Jaeckle scored his first goal of the season and made it 2-0 later in the second period. Cody Bentzel and Gylling added the assists on the second goal. Gylling’s empty net goal with 30 seconds remaining in the third period cemented the first win and set the final score at 3-0.
Johnstown outshot Aberdeen 29-17 and won the shooting battle each period. Neither team connected on the power play with Johnstown going 0 for 5 and Aberdeen going 0 for 4.
DeAugustine picked up the shutout win, stopping all 17 shots he faced. Chad Catt took the loss, allowing two goals on 28 shots.
Following the game against Bismarck, the Tomahawks travel to Michigan next weekend to take on the Soo Eagles. They return home to take on the Springfield Jr. Blues Oct. 5 & 6.
THE BOBCATS
Yesterday, the Bismarck Bobcats earned their second win of the season with a 5-2 win over the Janesville Jets. The Bobcats scored first, with Cullen Wilcox scoring at 16:32 of the first period. Janesville responded scoring two goals to take a 2-1 lead early in the third period. Bismarck answered with four unanswered goals, starting with Stanislav Dzakhov’s goal at 2:41. They took the lead when Filip Starzynski scored at 4:09. They would pick up goals from Jared Dedenbach and Seth Blair to set the final at 5-2.
Aaron Nelson picked up the win, stopping 22 of 24 shots. Reed Kinsey took the loss, stopping 20 of 25 shots.
Last season the Bobcats finished 35-16-9, good for second in the Central Division. They swept Brookings 3-0 in the conference semi-finals before defeating Austin in the division finals. Bismarck went 2-0-1 in the showcase, defeating Wenatchee and Jamestown, and falling to Amarillo in overtime.
The Bobcats return this season with strong goaltending and guys looking to step up and become offensive scoring leaders. The team lost their top four leading scorers and will look to guys like Nate Repensky (6-21-27) and Matt Anders (11-15-26) to step up this season. Aaron Nelson, who started in goal last season and compiled a 24-7-6 record with five shutouts, returns for the Bobcats. Following the game against Johnstown, Bismarck hosts the Wenatchee Wild next Friday and Saturday.
KEY STATS
- Today’s game will feature a sibling showdown as Zach Wallace (Johnstown) and his brother Nick (Bismarck) face-off.
- Bismarck goaltender Aaron Nelson was second in the league Goals Against Average (1.88) and tied for second with five shutouts.