Marcinkevics Carries 'Cats To Opening Night Victory

WYTHEVILLE, VA-

The league's leading scorer last season picked right up where he left off, just in a new sweater. Patriks Marcinkevics racked up four points (2G, 2A), and behind him and 32 saves from the night's first star Gabe Rosek, the Blue Ridge Bobcats picked up a 5-3 win over the Columbus River Dragons before a crowd of 1,662 on Opening Night at Hitachi Energy Arena.

Alex Storjohann, who scored all three Columbus goals on the night, began the scoring just 37 seconds into the contest. Marcinkevics opened his Roar County account on a shorthanded breakaway, sniping a shot past Trevor Babin after poke checking a turnover at center ice.

Things remained even at 1 until the 7:49 mark of the middle frame when Storjohann struck again off a rebound. Vladislav Vlasov responded less than three minutes later, banking the puck in off a River Dragon defender for his first Bobcats goal since April of 2025. Storjohann again answered to complete his natural hat trick, again hopping on and putting home a rebound at the 11:55 mark of the second.

The Bobcats exploded in the third, with a pair of goals from James Tepper and captain Carson Andreoli in the first 3:02 of the final frame. Marcinkevics added the exclamation point at the 11:44 mark of the third. 

Special teams played a key role, as 4 of the Bobcats five goals came either shorthanded or on the power play.

Vlasov took home third star for his multi-point effort.

Both teams rematch tomorrow night at 7:00 for Pink in the Rink Night at Hitachi Energy Arena. Doors open at 6pm.