The Bismarck Bobcats beat the Brookings Blizzard, 3-1, in a contest where the winning goal was scored in the first period but the game remained close throughout.

Bismarck took over the lead for good with a goal by Cullen Willox at 16:26 in the first period. Matt Perry assisted on the tally.

The Bobcats were led by goalie Aaron Nelson, who finished with 33 saves while allowing one goal. Nelson certainly lowered his goals against average, which was 2.07 entering the contest.

Bismarck was led by Matt Anders, who registered one goal. Anders scored 9:04 into the third period to make the score 2-0 Bismarck. Ryan Callahan provided the assist.

The Bobcats' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four Brookings power plays. The 40 shots that Bismarck put on net surpassed the Bobcats' average of 30.4 shots per game this season.

Bismarck also got a goal from Tony German as well. In addition, Bismarck received assists from Tyler Dunagan, who had two and Filip Starzynski and Dan Kovar, who contributed one a piece.

Brookings put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Bismarck to score on any of its six power plays. The Blizzard relied on a core group of players for most of their offense, as Evan Hesse, Branislav Rapac and Brandon Parker took 18 of the team's 34 shots.

Other players who recorded assists for Brookings were Wyatt Schmidt and Conor Andrle, who each chipped in one.

The Bobcats ended with 25 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major. Connor Girard recorded 37 saves for Brookings. The Blizzard ended with 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major.