NORSEMEN SPLIT SERIES AGAINST BISMARCK BOBCATS
The Matchup: The St. Cloud Norsemen (13-8-0) played to a series split against the Bismarck Bobcats (18-10-3) at VFW Sports Center on Dec. 15-16.
A Look at the Central: After this weekend, the Norsemen are in third place behind Bismarck (36 points) and divisional leaders the Minot Minotauros who sit on top with 43 total points.
Series Review: In game one, St. Cloud fell behind early when Bismarck took a one goal lead after Evan Hunter found the back of the net in the first period. Keaton Orrey (Eagan, Minn.) tied up the contest seven minutes into the second frame. Three minutes later St. Thomas Academy standout Tommy Cronin gave the Bobcats the lead once again. In the final stanza, Andrew Cumming (St. Cloud, Minn.) got on the board from a Kyle Miller (San Jose, Calif.) feed. Hagen Moe (Grand Rapids, Mich.) would bury the eventual game winner with ten minutes left to finish the scoring for the Norsemen to win 3-2 in regulation.
In game two, Patrick Johnson recorded his ninth goal of the season for the Bobcats in the first period. The Norsemen would respond with goals from Cumming and Dysart. Johnson would find the back of the net once more for his second goal of the game to tie the contest. In the final period of play, Johnson would finish the hat trick. Tamas Toth and Landon Fandel finished the scoring in the 5-2 Bismarck victory.
Between the Pipes:
Game 1: Ryan Manzella (Eagan, Minn) made 32 saves on 34 total shots. Klayton Knapp made 16 of 19 stops for the Bobcats.
Game 2: Manzella stopped 28 of 33 shots. In goal for Bismarck, Stephen Peck turned aside 29 of 31 shot attempts by Norsemen skaters.
Up next on Schedule: St. Cloud will travel to Odde Ice Center to face-off against divisional rival the Aberdeen Wings for the second time in two weeks. Puck drop for both contests will be at 7:15.
Dain Solberg, Freelance Writer