Bobcat Courier: Weekly Look at Bobcat Hockey
November 25, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
BISMARCK, ND -- Fresh off a road split at second-place Austin, the Bismarck Bobcats return home Wednesday for a pivotal tilt against the third-place Brookings Blizzard at the VFW Sports Center.
The Bobcats sit four points behind the Blizzard in the Central Division with one game in hand.
In their only other meeting of the year, the Cats pulled away for a 5-2 win at Brookings on October 17 on the second night of a back-to-back weekend.
Since then, Brookings has gone 5-1-2 to breeze into playoff positioning, while the Bobcats have scratched out a 5-5-0 mark against a slate that has included both 2015 national finalists--Austin and the Minnesota Wilderness--sliding back to fifth place.
Alex Strand has carried the Bobcat offense in November, with four goals and five assists in six appearances, with linemate Harrison Aide close behind with three goals and and four assists this month.
In net, Hunter Shepard has accounted for all nine Bobcat wins while posting the second-best GAA in the Central Division at 2.23.
Brookings has been led all season by top scorers Kane Durment (8g, 13a) and Mikael Hakkarainen (6g, 14a); the duo has combined for six goals and 11 helpers in November.
Tickets for Wednesday's pre-Thanksgiving showdown are available now: fans can buy and print tickets 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com, by clicking "Shop Now" on the team Facebook page or charge by phone at 222-3300.
Wednesday's bout will be broadcast live locally on SuperTalk 1270, KLXX-AM, the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, and worldwide online at NAHL.FASTHockey.com- the official web television partner of the North American Hockey League- with pregame coverage starting at 6:35pm.
Season tickets are still on sale for the 2015-16 season at a pro-rated price; if you want to beat the rush of over 40,000 fans for this year, now is the time! Call 222-3300 to reserve your seats today.
Bobcats Host Blizzard for Critical Clash
Matchup: Bismarck Bobcats (9-10-0, 5th Central) vs Brookings Blizzard (10-8-2, 3rd Central)
Games: Wednesday, November 25, 7:15pm
Venue: VFW Sports Center, Bismarck, N.D.
Season Series: Bobcats lead Blizzard 1-0-0
All-Time: Bobcats lead Blizzard 21-12-2
Radio: SuperTalk 1270 AM, SuperTalk1270.com and the radioPup smartphone app, 6:45pm
Web TV: http://NAHL.FASTHockey.com, 6:45pm
Together Again
Former Bobcat teammates Jason Fabian and John McLean have been reunited at the professional level for the second time.
Within the last week and a half, both have signed pro contracts with the Pensacola Ice Pilots of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
It is the second go-round with the Ice Pilots Fabian, who played two seasons for the Cats from 2008 to 2010, following a four-point (3g, 1a) debut a season ago. As a graduate of the Air Force Academy, Fabian has been stationed at nearby Eglin Air Force Base as part of his military service.
McLean also played for the Ice Pilots in 2014-15, posting a 3.54 GAA in three appearances with Pensacola following the end of his collegiate days in the MIAC with Gustavus Adolphus.
Fabian has two games played this season, but no points yet. McLean signed with the Ice Pilots Monday. The two will be in uniform together for the first time this season Wednesday when the Ice Pilots visit former Bobcat Blake Hietala and the Louisiana IceGators.
Trending Upward
The Bobcat offense had its best two-game output at Austin, combining for 11 goals
F Travis Wood has four goals--all against the Bruins
Both D Cole Souto and F Solag Bakich secured their first goals of the year at Austin
It was also a season-high weekend for the Cats' power play, which improved to 14.7% on the year thanks to a 4-for-11 performance
After giving up their worst period of 2015-16 in Friday's 7-3 defeat, the Cats bounced back with their strongest period of the year by outscoring Austin 4-1 in the third on Saturday
Upcoming Schedule
The Bobcats will celebrate Thanksgiving with games against their rivals from South Dakota: home to Brookings Wednesday before heading down to Aberdeen Saturday.
Bobcats vs Brookings
Wednesday, 11/25/15, at 7:15pm
VFW Sports Center
Radio: SuperTalk 1270
Web TV: FASTHockey.com
Bobcats at Aberdeen
Saturday, 11/28/15, at 7:15pm
Odde Ice Center
Radio: SuperTalk 1270
Web TV: FASTHockey.com
Alumni Stats
NCAA Division I
Matt Pohlkamp (2012-13, Bowling Green): 2 G, 2 A
John Furgele (2010-12, New Hampshire): 1 G, 1 A
Bryce Schmitt (2009-12, Lake Superior State): 1 A
Brandon Wildung (2011-12, Mercyhurst): 1 GP, No Dec., 20 S, 17 SV
NCAA Division III
Huba Sekesi (2013-14, St. John's): 2 G, 2 A
Patrick Moore (2011-13, UW-Eau Claire): 2 G, 2 A
Nick Miglio (2010-12, Utica): 1 G, 2 A
Bob Kinne (2012-13, St. Mary's): 1 G, 2 A
Tommy Malkmus (2013-14, Finlandia): 1 G, 2 A
Adam Knochenmus (2011-13, UW-Eau Claire): 2 G
Mike Dockry (2011-13, St. Thomas): 2 G
Tyler Dunagan (2013-14, St. John's): 1 G, 1 A
Frankie DeAugustine (2010-12, UMass-Boston): 1 G, 1 A
Cullen Willox (2013-15, St. Thomas): 1 G, 1 A
Nate Flynn (2013-14, Augsburg): 1 G, 1 A
Danny Ray (2010-12, UW-Stout): 1 G, 1 A
Rory Vesel (2011-13, Augsburg): 2 A
Joe Giordano (2012-13, Connecticut College): 1 A
Buster Hebda (2011-12, Concordia WI): 1 A
SPHL
Shawn Skelly (2006-07, Macon): 1 G
Charlie Mosey (2010-11, Mississippi): 1 G
Nick Schneider (2003-05, Huntsville): 1 A
ECHL
Austin Coldwell (2007-08, Quad City): 2 A
Ryan Faragher (2009-11, Utah): 2 GP, 1-0-1, 51 S, 45 SV
Ryan Massa (2009-10, Orlando): 1 GP, No Dec., 19 S, 15 SV
North American Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2015
- Cats Silence Brahmas on Thanksgiving Eve - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Nappier Makes Div-I Commitment - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Jimmy O'Brien Commits to Colorado College - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bobcat Courier: Weekly Look at Bobcat Hockey - Bismarck Bobcats
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