Bismarck starts strong at home
September 29, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release
After a sluggish 1-2-1 start to their season at the NAHL Showcase Tournament, the Bismarck Bobcats came alive last weekend treating their fans to a pair of wins over the Alexandria Blizzard.
"It was nice to get off on the right foot at home," said Bobcats head coach Byron Pool.
Bismarck opened its weekend with a 4-1 victory over the Blizzard on Friday. Cody Keefer and Nicholas Jensen (game-winner) each struck for two goals and an assist, with Jordan Singer and Josh Nelson recording two assists apiece. In goal, David Bosner turned aside 36 shots.
Goals from Jason Fabian and Jeffrey Harris (game-winner) lifted Bismarck to a 2-1 triumph the next night. Bosner was again solid between the pipes, making 31 saves.
"I really felt that we didn't play our best hockey at the Showcase; we were a little off and things weren't clicking," said Pool. "We went home and really had a tough week of practice and it was nice to see the guys rewarded for their hard work."
Pool was particularly impressed with his team's defensive play against Alexandria, as well as the special teams.
"There isn't too many weekends where you only give up two goals," he said. "I felt for the most part we really limited the chances that Alexandria had.
"That and our power play had a big night on Friday with three goals and we didn't give up a power-play goal all weekend."
And Bosner deserves much of the credit. The 19-year-old from Chesterfield, Mo., who was acquired late in the summer from St. Louis allowed only two goals againt against Alexandria as he upped his record to 3-0-1.
"He's been fantastic," said Pool. "We were looking for someone to take the No. 1 job and run with it and we gave him the opportunity to be that guy.
"Since he arrived he's been nothing but solid. His competitiveness level is off the charts and he's very focused. He gives us a chance to win every night."
Pool was also pleased to see the new forward combination of Keefer, Jensen and Singer generate offensive production in no time. The line connected for all four Bismarck goals on Friday night.
"We had trouble scoring goals in the Showcase, so we decided to throw all our eggs in one basket," Pool explained. "I like the early makeup of the line; they're big, they can skate and they're all pretty good offensively. It gives us a legitimate No. 1 line, but it was also nice to see our other lines score for us on Saturday."
Second-year defenseman John Clark, a 19-year-old from Baudette, Minn., has also impressed early on.
"He's been rock solid on our back end," said Pool. "He can kill penalties, play the power play and has played a ton of minutes for us. He's the leader of our hockey team and should have a great year."
After missing the postseason the last two years, the Bobcats like the prospects of this season's team. Continued improvement on the penalty kill and some added offense can't help but lead to more victories, according to Pool.
"It's early, but we're happy with our start," said the coach. "The work ethic of the players has been great; we've seen a lot of improvement since Day 1. If you have a good bunch of kids with a great work ethic, it gives you a lot to build off of and work with.
"For us, it's important that we continue to move forward and improve as a team," he said. "It'd be nice to see us do well so our players continue to gain confidence that they can compete with the top teams in our league."
The Bobcats will welcome North Iowa, the defending Central Division regular-season champions, to town this weekend. Bismarck has struggled against the Outlaws in recent years, but hopes to turn the tables this season.
"(North Iowa head coach) Jeff (Crouse) has put together a very nice team; they're a highly-skilled, veteran team," complimented Pool. "North Iowa showed last year that it's one of the top teams in the NAHL, and with them hosting the national tournament this year, I'd expect them to be very strong again."
STANDINGS/LEADERS
Central Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Bismarck 6 3-2-1 7 .583 14 16
Alexandria 6 2-3-1 5 .417 15 17
Owatonna 6 2-4-0 4 .333 25 25
North Iowa 5 2-3-0 4 .400 14 21
Albert Lea 5 0-4-1 1 .100 7 18
North Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
USNTDP 8 4-3-1 9 .563 35 26
Traverse City 6 4-2-0 8 .667 19 16
Mahoning Valley 4 3-0-1 7 .875 17 10
Motor City 6 3-3-0 6 .500 10 16
Alpena 4 2-2-0 4 .500 13 16
Marquette 6 2-4-0 4 .333 20 24
South Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Topeka 6 6-0-0 12 1.000 28 10
St. Louis 6 4-1-1 9 .750 19 11
Wichita Falls 4 4-0-0 8 1.000 15 7
Springfield 6 2-3-1 5 .417 21 25
West Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Alaska 4 3-1-0 6 .750 17 13
Kenai River 4 2-2-0 4 .500 10 21
Wenatchee 4 1-2-1 3 .375 7 9
Fairbanks 4 1-3-0 2 .250 12 17
LEADING SCORERS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G A PTS
George, Jordan TPK F 6 4 7 11
Hagaman, Alec TPK F 6 7 3 10
Delaurell, Kyle WIC F 4 3 6 9
Freismuth, Jerry ALX F 6 2 7 9
Keefer, Cody BIS F 6 6 2 8
Hartmann, Matt TPK F 6 4 4 8
Gallagher, James MAR F 6 4 4 8
Shore, Drew USA F 4 4 4 8
Pietila, Chad MAR F 6 2 6 8
(six players tied with seven points)
LEADING GOALTENDERS
PLAYER TEAM GPI MINS W-L-OTL GAA SPCT
Tibbett, Jordan MVY 2 120:00 2-0-0 1.00 .965
Rocker, Lyle TPK 3 185:00 3-0-0 1.30 .941
Bosner, David BIS 5 290:14 3-0-1 1.45 .957
Jarboe, Mike WIC 3 184:10 3-0-0 1.63 .957
Cinotti, Erick STL 3 180:50 2-0-1 1.66 .932
GOALS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G Hagaman, Alec TPK F 6 7
(two players tied with 6)
ASSISTS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP A
George, Jordan TPK F 6 7
Freismuth, Jerry ALX F 6 7
PLUS/MINUS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP +/-
(four players tied at +7)
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sherwood Central Division: Bismarck Bobcats forward Cody Keefer
Bismarck forward Cody Keefer, 20, tallied two goals and an assist as the Bobcats celebrated a weekend sweep over Alexandria. The Big Rapids, Mich., product scored his points in Bismarck's 4-2 win over the Blizzard on Friday.
"Cody continued his hot start through the weekend," said Bobcats head coach Byron Pool. "He had, in my opinion, a great Showcase Tournament and it has carried over into the regular season. As a 20-year-old, we were expecting big things from Cody and he hasn't disappointed."
HONORABLE MENTION: Alexandria forward Joe Knoepke and Owatonna forward Chris Bournazos
Sherwood North Division: Marquette Rangers forward Chad Pietila
Marquette forward Chad Pietila rang up two goals and two assists as the Rangers split a pair of games with Traverse City. On Friday, the Milford, Mich., native connected for two goals and an assist in a 4-3 victory. The next night, 19-year-old recorded an assist as the Rangers fell to the North Stars, 3-2.
"Chad is a kid that competes every shift," said Rangers head coach Kenny Miller. "He's a leader on this team and early in the season you need your leaders to help carry the load offensively and that's what Chad did for us." Sherwood South Division: Topeka RoadRunners forward Alec Hagaman
Topeka forward Alec Hagaman struck for two goals in regulation and one in a shootout as the RoadRunners skated to a two-game sweep over Springfield. On Friday, the Peoria, Ill., native scored the shootout game-winner in a 4-3 RoadRunners win. The next night, the 18-year-old notched two goals, including the game-winner, as Topeka doubled up the Jr. Blues, 4-2. He was also a plus-2 on the weekend.
"Alec is a big-time player," said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer. "He's got the game-winning goal in four of our six wins and he's scored in every game. He's strong and smart with a heavy shot."
GDI Goaltender of the Week: Bismarck Bobcats goaltender David Bosner
Bismarck goaltender David Bosner backstopped the Bobcats to a two-game sweep over Alexandria, turning aside 67 of 69 shots. On Friday, the Chesterfield, Mo., made 36 saves in a 4-1 triumph. The next night, the 19-year-old stopped 31 shots at the Bobcats downed the Blizzard, 2-1.
"David has really stepped up and grabbed the No. 1 position in net for us," said Bobcats head coach Byron Pool. "He was a late addition to our team and has fit in beautifully. The way he's playing gives us a chance to win every night."
HONORABLE MENTION: Marquette goaltender Kevin Kissaw and Traverse City goaltender C.J. Motte
AROUND THE NAHL
ALASKA AVALANCHE: The Avalanche was idle after finishing 3-1 at the NAHL Showcase Tournament. It will play its next games in Kenai River on Oct. 10-11.
ALBERT LEA THUNDER: Mitch Torrel and Mark Ellis scored Albert Lea's goals in its 5-2 loss to Owatonna on Saturday. The Thunder is still searching for its first win of the season.
ALEXANDRIA BLIZZARD: Joe Knoepke scored the only goal in each of the Blizzard's two losses last weekend. "Joe has been playing very well for us," said Blizzard head coach Brad Willner. "He gets his goals from his hard work and tenacious play."
ALPENA ICEDIGGERS: The IceDiggers, who finished the Showcase Tournament at 2-2, had the weekend off and will play a home-and-home series with Traverse City this coming weekend.
BISMARCK BOBCATS: Nicholas Jensen connected for two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in the Bobcats' 4-1 win over Alexandria on Friday.
FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS: The Ice Dogs were idle after a 1-3 Showcase Tournament start and will head to Kenai River for a pair of games this weekend.
KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS: Kenai River, off to a 2-2 Showcase Tournament start, had the weekend off and will open its home schedule this weekend with two games against Fairbanks.
MAHONING VALLEY PHANTOMS: The 3-0-1 Phantoms, who were idle last weekend, will head to Motor City this weekend for a pair of games against the Machine.
MARQUETTE RANGERS: Goaltender Kevin Kissaw was solid between the pipes last weekend, stopping 69 of 75 shots as the Rangers split two games with Traverse City.
MOTOR CITY MACHINE: Nick Taurence (two assists) was the Machine's only multiple-scorer as it dropped a pair of home games to St. Louis last weekend.
NORTH IOWA OUTLAWS: The Outlaws drew over 1,000 in attendance for their home-opener on Friday night. "We couldn't be any happier, considering the summer-like weather and with about four different homecoming football games in the region to boot," said GM Steve Strasheim.
OWATONNA EXPRESS: Naperville, Ill., native Chris Bournazos picked up three points (two goals, one assist) as the Express went 1-1 last weekend.
SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES: Jon Bobb, an Army recruit who played in Texas last season, connected for a goal and an assist as the Jr. Blues fell twice in Topeka.
ST. LOUIS BANDITS: Goaltender Erick Cinotti was perfect between the pipes on Saturday night, turning aside all 32 shots in the Bandits' 4-0 shutout of Motor City.
TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS: Topeka's leading-scorer Jordan George tallied two goals and an assist in the RoadRunners two-game sweep of Springfield.
TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS: Netminder C.J. Motte stopped 32 shots in TC's 3-2 win over Marquette on Saturday. "As we suspected, he's proven that he can play - and win - in this league," said North Stars coach Anthony Palumbo.
TEAM USA: The U.S. teams were idle from NAHL competition, with the Under-18 Team playing a pair of Division I college games in Alaska.
WENATCHEE WILD: The 2-1-1 Wild will play its next game on Oct. 16 when it christens its brand-new home, the Town Toyota Center, against Topeka.
WICHITA FALLS WILDCATS: Idle last week, the Wildcats will takes their perfect 4-0 Showcase Tournament mark into St. Louis this coming weekend for a pair of games.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Friday, October 3
Alexandria @ Owatonna, 6:00 pm
Mahoning Valley @ Motor City, 7:10 pm
Fairbanks @ Kenai River, 7:30 pm
North Iowa @ Bismarck, 7:30 pm
Traverse City @ Alpena, 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 4
Alpena @ Traverse City, 7:05 pm
Wichita Falls @ St. Louis, 7:15 pm
Mahoning Valley @ Motor City, 7:10 pm
Fairbanks @ Kenai River, 7:30 pm
North Iowa @ Bismarck, 7:00 pm
Alexandria @ Albert Lea, 7:00 pm
Sunday, October 5
Wichita Falls @ St. Louis, 2:00 pm
(All Times Local)
North American Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2008
- Bismarck starts strong at home - NAHL
- Phantoms' Lundholm Profiled by Hockey Journal - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Machine weekly - Motor City Metal Jackets
- One and Done Works Out Well for North Iowa - North Iowa Outlaws
- Outlaws' Dance Team Schedules Workshop - North Iowa Outlaws
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