BROOKINGS – The Bobcats scored two goals over the final 2 1/2 minutes of the game to pull out a 3-1 NAHL win over the Blizzard on Saturday night at Larson Ice Center.

The win salvaged a weekend split for Bismarck and put them back into a tie for fourth-place with 30 points in the Central Division standings with Brookings.

Scoreless through two periods, Jacob Marti gave the Bobcats the lead with an unassisted tally with 6:48 left in the game.

Connor Koviak tied the game less than 2 minutes later as Vince Marino and Ryan Dickinson earned the assists.

But Patrick O’Connor cashed in on a power-play chance with 2:33 to play to score another unassisted goal for the Bobcats before Matej Murin added an unassisted insurance goal on an empty Blizzard net with 1:10 on the clock.

Bismarck improved to 14-13-2-0 while Brookings dropped to 14-13-1-1.

The Blizzard are back in action on Friday, Dec. 29, when they play host to Aberdeen at Larson Ice Center.

The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.

BISMARCK 3, BROOKINGS 1

Bismarck 0  0  3  –  3

Brookings 0  0  1  –  1

First Period

Scoring: None. Penalties: Brk, Chase Brand (Head Contact), 16:22; Bis, Joseph Mancuso (Head Contact), 14:04; Brk, Connor Koviak (Slashing), 14:04; Brk, Cam Babiak (Interference), 9:57; Brk, Oliver Turan (Charging-Major), 3:42.

Second Period

Scoring: None. Penalties: Bis, Jeremy Gabriele (Roughing), 16:25; Brk, Ryan Dickinson (Interference), 14:02; Bis, Matej Murin (Cross Checking), 3:16.

Third Period

Scoring: 1. Bismarck – Jacob Marti (Unassisted), 6:48. 1. Brookings – Connor Koviak (Vince Marino, Ryan Dickinson), 4:54. 2. Bismarck – Patrick O’Connor (unassisted), pp, 2:33. 3. Bismarck – Matej Murin (unassisted), en, 1:10. Penalties: Brk, Ryan Dickinson (Interference), 17:13; Brk, Cameron Teamor (Boarding), 15:34; Brk, Vince Marino (Cross Checking), 4:04; Brk, Jack LeBlanc (High Sticking), 0:00.

Power Plays: BIS – 1-9; BRK – 0-2. Shots: BIS – 7-14-14–35; BRK – 5-13-11–29. Saves: BIS, Ryan Ullan 28; BRK, Jacob Sibell 32.