Alex Lunksi Scores for Bismarck in NAHL Playoffs vs. Aberdeen
- — The Bismarck Bobcats secured a crucial victory in their North American Hockey League playoff series against the Aberdeen Wings on Saturday night, with a late-game goal by...
- 9 for the Bobcats, scored the go-ahead goal with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, breaking a 2-2 tie and giving Bismarck a 2-0 series lead heading...
- The Bobcats entered the third period trailing 2-1 but responded with sustained pressure, outshooting Aberdeen 14-6 in the final frame.
BISMARCK, N.D. — The Bismarck Bobcats secured a crucial victory in their North American Hockey League playoff series against the Aberdeen Wings on Saturday night, with a late-game goal by forward Alex Lunksi proving decisive in a 3-2 win at the VFW Sports Center.
Lunksi, wearing No. 9 for the Bobcats, scored the go-ahead goal with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, breaking a 2-2 tie and giving Bismarck a 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3 in Aberdeen. The goal came during a sustained offensive push in the third period, with Lunksi receiving a pass along the left boards before cutting to the net and firing a wrist shot past Wings goaltender Ethan Krall.
Bobcats Capitalize on Late Push
The Bobcats entered the third period trailing 2-1 but responded with sustained pressure, outshooting Aberdeen 14-6 in the final frame. Lunksi’s goal came at the 15:23 mark, followed by an empty-net goal from defenseman Mason Reid with 48 seconds left to seal the victory. Bismarck goaltender Luke Jansen made 28 saves in the win, including several key stops during a Wings power play in the second period that kept the game within reach.
Series Shifts to Aberdeen
With the win, the Bobcats take a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five semifinal round of the NAHL playoffs. Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, at the Odde Ice Arena in Aberdeen, South Dakota. A win in Game 3 would give Bismarck a chance to close out the series on home ice in Game 4, should it be necessary.
Lunksi’s Playoff Impact
The goal marked Lunksi’s second of the playoffs and his fifth point in two postseason games. The 18-year-old forward, in his first season with the Bobcats after joining from the United States Hockey League, has become a reliable contributor in high-leverage situations. Head coach Jeff Jakaitis praised Lunksi’s composure after the game, noting his ability to create scoring chances under pressure.
About the Matchup
The Bismarck Bobcats and Aberdeen Wings have developed a competitive rivalry in recent NAHL seasons, with both teams regularly contending for playoff positioning in the Central Division. The Wings entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the division, while the Bobcats finished as the No. 2 seed after a strong second-half surge that saw them win 12 of their final 15 regular-season games.