Another tight game, another overtime finish and now it’s going the distance.
Bismarck erased three one-goal deficits before eventually scoring the game-winner midway through double overtime for a 4-3 win over the Aberdeen Wings at the Odde Ice Center on Saturday night. The best of five series is now tied 2-2 with the deciding game set for Monday at Bismarck.
The Bobcats tied the game late in regulation on a goal that was reviewed and eventually upheld.
“The game should have been over in the third period when there was goaltender interference and the goal was off, and we didn’t get the benefit of the doubt,” said Wings coach Scott Langer. “That made it an entire different game and I feel for our guys, because they played a really hard game.”
After a scoreless first overtime, Bismarck scored with just over nine minutes remaining on a similar goal, which was also reviewed and upheld.
As a result, the Bobcats have regained home-ice advantage for the winner-take-all contest on Monday.
The double overtime thriller lasted more than four hours.
“That was insane out there,” said Aberdeen’s Owen Pitters.
While the contest was draining physically, it also took a toll mentally.
“It’s like 11:30 at night,” Pitters said. “A lot of us are sleeping by now every other night.”
Aberdeen took an early lead when Cade Moxham scored less than three minutes into the first period.
The Bobcats responded later in the period to tie the game at 1-1.
Ryder Many Grey Horses gave the Wings a lead midway through the second period, taking a feed from Grant Winkler for the shot on goal.
“It was broken play into the net and ‘Winky’ was able to get it out and able find me on the slot,” Many Grey Horses said, “and I one-timed it in.”
Again the Bobcats responded to tie the game at 2-2 after the second period.
The Wings once again regained the lead, this time when Pitters went top shelf midway through the third period.
“I got a good neutral zone pass from Briggs Orr,” Pitters said. “(Luke) Backel drove the net pretty hard, gave me a good lane to shoot, and I took my shot.”
That set the stage for the final two Bismarck goals.
So far the series has featured three overtime games and another tightly-contested finish.
“It’s awesome. This is what you play for,” Many Grey Horses said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way, but we’ll get them on Monday.”
Pitters said the Wings are now more motivated to beat the Bobcats than when the series started.
When asked what it will take to win game five, Pitters responded, “Keep doing what we’re doing. I think we had them there first overtime and second overtime, just couldn’t get the bounces.”
The Wings will now try to get some rest before heading up to Bismarck for the series finale.
“We just put this behind us, take it day by day,” Many Grey Horses said, “and get good rest (Sunday) and take it on Monday.”
So far the visiting team has won all four games in the series and the Wings will attempt to grab one more road win at Bismarck.
“It’s a five-game series and now we’re in game five. Both teams are playing extremely hard,” Langer said. “We’ve just got to go up there and play our game. We’ve proven we can play with this team. We’ve proven we can beat this team, but we just have to go after it on Monday.”
The other Central Division semifinal has taken on an identical pattern with the road team winning all four games, including a double overtime win for Austin in Minot on Saturday night. That game five will be Monday in Austin.
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