Bobcats Set to Open 2012-13 Regular Season
Published on September 11, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
BLAINE, MN - The Bismarck Bobcats will embark upon the defense of their fourth straight Central Division championship as they open the 2012-13 season at the tenth annual Combat Hockey NAHL Showcase at the Schwan Super Rink Wednesday morning against the Jamestown Ironmen.
Wednesday's contest with the North Division's Ironmen marks the first non-exhibition game since the Bobcats' untimely exit from the 2012-13-which is providing ample motivation for the team's returners to start the new year off on the right foot.
"It's been a long four months, so we're all ready to get back at it," offered Bobcats second-year forward Shane Omdahl, who had 43 points in his rookie campaign of 2011-12. "Nobody was happy about how things went at Nationals last year, so a lot of us have been looking forward to Wednesday since we walked off the ice in Frisco."
The Cats return three of their top seven point-scorers from last season, including Omdahl, Adam Knochenmus (49) and Patrick Moore (46) and defenders Dan Kovar, Jeremy O'Keefe and Rory Vesel.
"We [returning veterans] are a really close group," noted Moore, who was the team's top-scoring rookie in 2011-12. "When you play together for eight straight months and go through the battles we did, you band together.
"One thing that really jumps out to me is that all of our vets are team-first guys. Nobody in this group is worried about personal gain right now; everyone is in it for team success."
Other returning veterans include forwards Filip Starzynski, Mike Dockry, Ryan Callahan and Terry Hennen.
While the returners will play a major role in the Bobcats' success, the team's newcomers have also turned heads in the preseason.
"We're really excited about the group of guys that are coming in this year," praised Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie. "We'll be leaning on the vets to carry the load, but the new guys are going to give us a lot of depth."
Impressive performances among those new to the black and gold include forward Bob Kinne's natural hat trick in Saturday's preseason finale and goaltender Bryan Nies' 33-save win at Brookings on Friday.
The Cats' Showcase schedule doesn't leave much room for error, as their Thursday, Friday and Saturday opponents-the Port Huron Fighting Falcons, Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Topeka Roadrunners, respectively-averaged 38 wins in 2011-12 and include two reigning division champions (Port Huron and Fairbanks).
"We're going to find out what we're made of, as a team, in about four days," added Sedevie, who is 4-3-1 in two years behind the bench at the Showcase.
Thanks to the Showcase's role as the NAHL's season opener, the Bobcats aren't as worried about matching up against their high-powered opposition, however.
"With so many new faces and so much to go over with our guys, our primary concern is doing what we can do," stressed Sedevie. "And if you're going to be a championship-caliber team, your first concern is to be able to run your systems without worrying about what the other team is doing."
Wednesday's 2012-13 lidlifter will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide on the official internet television partner of the NAHL, FASTHockey, at http://nahl.fasthockey.com. Pregame coverage gets under way at 9:45.
Showcase action continues Thursday at 1:45 PM as the Bobcats have a pool-play rematch from the 2012 Robertson Cup Tournament against the Fighting Falcons. On Friday at 1:30 PM, the Bobcats take on the Ice Dogs for the first time since shutting them out 3-0 in the 2010 Robertson Cup Finals. The Bobcats will wrap up the Showcase with a 3:30 PM showdown against the South Division powerhouse Roadrunners.
Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are now on sale-and going fast! Call the Bobcat Hockey office today at (701) 222-3300 to reserve your seats for another great season of Championship Entertainment.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 11, 2012
- Bobcats Set to Open 2012-13 Regular Season - Bismarck Bobcats
- Amarillo Bulls NAHL Showcase Preview - Amarillo Bulls
- Fresno Monsters NAHL Season Begins Tomorrow - Fresno Monsters
- RoadRunners Announce 2012-13 Captains - Topeka Pilots
- Bulls Enjoy Practice & Tour of University of Minnesota - Amarillo Bulls
- Jr. Blues Split with Illini - Springfield Jr. Blues
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
