Five Unanswered Goals Push 'Birds to 5-3 Win Over 'Cats in Regular Season Finale

WYTHEVILLE, VA-

Despite jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, the Blue Ridge Bobcats surrendered five straight goals to the Twin City Thunderbirds and fell in the regular season finale and split the season series with their rivals at an even six wins a piece. The contest was player before a new Hitachi Energy Arena crowd of 3,033 fans on Fan Appreciation Night.

Mike Mercurio opened the scoring just 61 seconds in, sniping a wrist shot home from the high slot past Chad Purdy to put Blue Ridge on the board first. Jordan Rosenbaum and Nikita Kozyrev combined for a pair of goals in 36 seconds to push the lead to 3-0 and chase Purdy after just 5 shots and 6:05 of play.

Boris Babik entered in relief and steadied the ship for Twin City, spearheading the start of the comeback. Roman Kraemer scored the only goal of a tight checking middle frame, top shelfing a backhander past Anthony Shrum at the 17:30 mark of the second. 

The Thunderbirds evened things at 3 on a quick strike sequence of their own, as Kayson Gallant and Jan Salak teamed up for a pair of tallies in just 22 seconds. Kraemer's second of the game, this time on the power play, served as the game winning goal at 16:53. Jack Johansen sealed the deal with an empty netter with just over 40 seconds remaining.

The Bobcats season continues Wednesday night as they host Game 1 of Round 1 of the Commissioner's Cup Quarterfinals against the Port Huron Prowlers at 7:30 PM. Tickets are on sale online at blueridgebobcats.com/tickets, by phone at 276-335-2100 or in person at the Hitachi Energy Arena Box Office during business hours.