Recap for games of March 5 & 6

Entering playoffs on a positive

Nikiforov’s equalizer sets stage for DeLuca, whose penalty

shot wins shootout against NJ for second time this season

Vlady Nikiforov kept his hold on the team and league scoring lead with two goals and an assist  each of the Bobcats' 7-3 and 7-6 road victories over the New Jersey Rockets last Saturday and Sunday, respectively. James Marcou added two goals while Nick Grasso (three) and Jason DeLuca totaled five assists in the opener.

Nikiforov and DeLuca were also the heroes on Sunday. First Nikiforov forced overtime by scoring the tying goal with 29 seconds left in regulation. And then DeLuca, who had assisted the equalizer along with Frank Rizzo, tallied the winning penalty shot in the shootout that followed overtime. It was the second time DeLuca has won a shootout for the Bobcats -- he also scored the winner in a thrilling come-from-behind victory over New Jersey during the Bobcats' November run to the Northeast Showcase title -- and could be a momentum-builder for the Bobcats heading into the long-awaited AJHL Playoff Tournament.

 SATURDAY, MARCH 5: TWIN DOUBLE FOR VLADY & JAMES

                                                      1    2    3    FINAL

            NEW YORK BOBCATS        3    1    4       7

            New Jersey Rockets           1    1    1       3

Goals – NYB: Rizzo (DeLuca, Nikiforov assists; 7:01 1st), Marcou (Romano; 16:11 1st), Lucas (DeLuca, Rizzo; 17:29 1st), Nikiforov (Grasso; 4:41 2nd, PP), Nikiforov (Grasso, Rizzo; 11:59 3rd), Gold (Grasso; 15:34 3rd), Marcou (unassisted; 18:56 3rd); HWP: Vanderbeek (Lampson, Sanders; 0:45 1st), Callen (Del Mauro; 3:00 2nd), Lampson (Sanders, Vanderbeek; 11:14 3rd). Saves – NYB: Molinaro 17 (18 shots, 31 minutes), Spagnoli 29 (19 shots, 29 minutes); HWP: Bendel 14 (18 shots, 25 minutes), Stoffel 14 (17 shots, 35 minutes).

 SUNDAY, MARCH 6: DeLUCA DOES IT IN SHOOTOUT AGAIN

                                                      1    2    3    FINAL

            Washington Nationals        1    0    0       1

            NEW YORK BOBCATS        1    1    4       6

Goals – NYB: Rizzo (Lucas, Leone; 11:48 1st), Gold (Coppola, Moriarty; 17:41 1st), Nikiforov (Behler, Lucas; 12:29 2nd, PP), DeLuca (Nikiforov, Rizzo; 15:59 3rd), Nikiforov (DeLuca, Rizzo; 19:31 3rd), DeLuca (in penalty shootout that followed overtime).