NAHL Bismarck Bobcats

Bobcats Upset Springfield in Chicago Showcase

Published on January 16, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release


After an incredible performance by goaltender Matt Koenig and the efforts of key role players, the Bismarck Bobcats were able to capture their first win of the showcase over the second-ranked team in the North American Hockey League, the Springfield Jr. Blues.

The Bobcats went into the showcase with a record of 15-17-2, knowing that their first opponents would be one of the toughest match-ups of the season, Springfield having a 23-6-1 record so far on the season and seated number two overall as well as in the North Division. However, after a few months of line-up alterations with injuries and illnesses, the Bobcats were finally back at full strength and stepped up to their potential to capture the lead in the first and held on for the remainder of the game.

At 9:00 in the first period, Bobcat forward Bill Johnson powered one in from JJ Koehler and Clayton Rehm on the powerplay. This goal remained the loan goal of the first period, but the Bobcats took control of the second period as well when Brett Sobolik scored on an assist from Clayton Rehm at 5:54 and then when Bill Johnson lit the lamp once again at 16:31 from JJ Koehler. The intensity was brewing as the Bobcats entered the third period up 3-0 over their opponent. Finally at 3:12 the Jr. Blues scored their first goal of the game, but Bobcat Wade Willyard was able to put the win away at 14:51 with an unassisted shorthanded goal, making the final 4-1 over the Springfield Jr. Blues.

In only his fifth game played for the Bobcats, goaltender Matt Koenig, who was honored as last week's "West Defensive Player of the Week," was 39-40 on the night. Accumulating his fourth win, Koenig has proven himself for the Bobcats and has now brought his goals against average to 1.87 and his save percentage to 93.7%.

Also making a name for himself is Bobcat defenseman Clayton Rehm, who had two assists on the night, bringing his totals to five goals and sixteen assists in thirty-five games played for the eight ranked position in defenseman scoring in the entire NAHL.

This win not only brings the Bobcats overall record to 16-17-2, but it brings the Bobcat winning streak to 4-0 and puts them behind the Billings Bulls and Bozeman Icedogs by only three points overall in the rankings.

This afternoon at 4:15 CST the Bobcats will take on the Fairbanks Icedogs, who are currently ranked second in the South division with an overall record of 17-8l-5. For live updates of the game, statistics can be found at www.pointstreak.com and then by clicking on the NAHL showcase link.

Check out the Bismarck Bobcats Statistics

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2004


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