Bobcats Return Home for Do-or-Die Game Three
BISMARCK, ND — The Bismarck Bobcats will play their first home game in 22 days and their first home playoff game in 1,075 days with the season on the line when they host the Minot Minotauros Friday at 7:15pm at the VFW Sports Center in Game Three of the Central Division Semifinals, trailing the series two games to none.
“Even though we’re down right now, we have a lot of confidence,” asserted Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, whose team last played a postseason game on home ice on May 9, 2016. “Not only has the home team done very well in the season series this year, but when we’ve faced must-win games since New Year’s, we’ve been at our best.”
Indeed, the home team went 11-0-1 in the 2018-19 season series between Bismarck and Minot, with the Bobcats holding a 9-1-2 record at the VFW Sports Center dating back to the start of the 2017-18 season against the Minotauros.
Friday will also be the Cats’ first game at the VFW since March 28, after which they played the last two regular season weekends away from home before opening the playoffs last weekend in the Magic City. On the season, the Bobcats were 17-8-3 at “The ‘Dub.”
Special teams play was a deciding factor in the series’ opening weekend at Minot, with the Bobcat power play being rebuffed in Friday’s 5-1 defeat while Minot picked up three power play goals—against just one for the Cats—in Saturday’s 5-3 setback.
“Our penalty kill was very good in-zone, but got a little lost on zone entry at points on Saturday, which is why all three goals [Minot] got on the ‘PP’ came on the rush versus from zone time,” explained Sedevie. “I actually liked our power play—the chances were there; now we need to find a way to capitalize on those chances and turn them into goals.”
Should the Bobcats win Friday and extend the series, Game Four would be at the VFW Sports Center on Saturday at 7:15pm.
Fans can buy & print Robertson Cup Playoff tickets at BismarckBobcats.com or by clicking “Shop Now” on the Bobcats’ Facebook page.
Live coverage of all Bobcats playoff games is on Super Talk 1270 AM in Bismarck/Mandan and worldwide with premium video at HockeyTV.com with pre-game coverage starting a half hour before puck drop.
