Mason City, IA- Friday night saw the Bulls earn a convincing 5-0 victory over the Minnesota Mallards to jump back into a postseason spot in front of a lively crowd at the Mason City Arena.
The Bulls jumped out to a hot start for the second straight game. Ivan Bercik scored the first of two goals to jump into the lead just 1:19 into the game. Then, near the middle point of the game, Lukas Yeck & Mike Malatino scored goals just 23 seconds apart to chase Mallards starting netminder Adam Kimbrell.
After a full first period, Ivan Bercik and Denis Hodas added a goal in each of the 2nd and 3rd periods respectively to end the scoring at 5-0.
Bulls goaltender Charlie Durkin made that score stand up with the second shutout of his NAHL career in just the 7th game and 6th start for the Bulls. He stopped a number of dangerous breakout chances and nailed down the team’s third shutout victory of the year and 19th win of the season overall.
Bercik’s night was the first multi-goal game of his NAHL Career.
Denis Hodas scored a goal in his third consecutive game.
Aided by a Watertown Shamrocks loss to the Bismarck Bobcats, the Bulls are currently in a postseason spot and will look for more points on Saturday night when the Bulls go to Forest Lake for the conclusion of their three-game series against the Mallards.