Bobcats split weekend with Rockers in Fraser

The Blue Ridge Bobcats earned their first win of the season during their first road trip of the season in Fraser Michigan. Taking the first game in an overtime shootout 5-4, and dropping the second game 3-4.

The Bobcats struck first with a redirect from Jakub Volf off the one-timer attempt from the left-side blueline by Egor Dolkart. Giving the Bobcats the early 1-0 lead. Assists awarded to Dolkart and Kyle Stevens.

Blue Ridge was not done in the first though as one minute later Hunter Hall gets the second touch on a crease suffocation over Trevor Babin allowing Hall to break past the back foot of Babin for the two-point lead over the Rockers. Assists from Kyle Stevens and Dominik Matonak.

The Rockers were able to respond 19 minutes into the first period as Roman Gaudet redirected a deep shot around Christian Pavlas to close the gap to one. Assists to Dante Suffrendini and Scott Coash.

Motor City controlled the second period as Pavel Svinstov scored twice and Jonathan Juliano found the back of the net to bring the Rockers up by two. 

Heading into the third period the Bobcats needed to find a spark and they appeared to find it in a power play with Vladislav Vlasov just over 14 minutes into the period with a one-timer from the top of the left face-off circle. Assists by Jakub Volf and Cody Oakes.

Vlasov was not done though as four minutes later he broke through the five-hole off the lateral from Josh Newberg. Sending this one into overtime.

The game stayed tied through the overtime period and went to the shootout which as they said on the broadcast was more of a shutout for the Bobcats as Volf and Newberg found the back of the net with no response from the Rockers. Blue Ridge takes this one 5-4.

On the second night, the Bobcats struck first once again in the first period as Cody Oakes took it out of the two-man trap in the corner to shove the biscuit through the crease. Assists from Fabian Granvist and Dominik Matonak.

Motor City responded two minutes later with Danny Vanderwiel lifting the puck just above Pavlas' right leg to send it into the top corner of the net, with assists from Pavel Svintsov and Brad Rietter. 

The game moved back and forth as Blue Ridge responded to take the lead once again as Hunter Hall got the redirect off the right side one-timer of Kolton Maguire and Egor Dolkart. Bringing the lead to 2-1.

The Rockers would not go silently as  19 minutes into the first period Declan Conway went on the fast break cutting lateral in the slot to find Dereck Makimaa to tie it back up at two. Also awarded the assist was Ryan Rotondi.

It would not be until the second period that the Bobcats would find the lead again as Josh Newberg finds Dominik Matonak in neutral ice who takes it down for the one-timer with an assist to Cody Oakes for the one-two-three fast break transition.

It would not be until the third period that Motor City would find an opportunity to strike again with a deep one-timer from the blueline off the stick of Dante Suffredini with assists from Brad Rietter and Pavel Svintsov.

The Rockers took the lead with a minute and a half left in regulation with a wrap-around from Danny Vanderweil and Jameson Milam 4-3.

Motor City would close out the second game with the win giving the bobcats a split on the weekend as they travel home for a home-and-home series with the Carolina Thunderbirds on November 3rd and 4th. Be sure to attend the game at the APEX Center on November 3rd where the Bobcats will be hosting Fight Hunger Night which will kick off the Bobcats food drive. Fans can bring in nonperishable food items to Bobcats games through November 18th to donate. 

Fans can get tickets here.