BISMARCK, N.D. – Bismarck jumped in front early, and held off an Aberdeen Wings rally late to grab a 4-1 victory and clinch their North American Hockey League series in the fifth and deciding game on Monday night.
As was the case throughout the entire series, the Bobcats scored the opening goal. The hosts, who added another goal later in the opening period, played with a 2-0 lead throughout the first two periods of the contest.
Aberdeen did not go quietly, however. The Wings connected for 15 shots on goal in the final period.
However, Bismarck added a key power play goal to extend its lead to 3-0 with less than five minutes remaining. Aberdeen scored its only goal of the contest when Matt Wisener found the back of the net with 2:42 left in the contest to close the gap to 3-1 on assists from Grant Winkler and Leonid Bulgakov.
The Bobcats then added an empty net goal in the last minute for the final margin of difference.
Bismarck outshot Aberdeen 14-7 in the first period, while the Wings outshot the Bobcats 15-7 in the final period after each side had eight shots in the second period.
The Bobcats will now move on to face Minot in the Central Division finals in a series that starts Friday night in Minot.
To see a complete box score, click on the following link:
