Bobcats Welcome Resurgent Thunder
January 28, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
BISMARCK, ND - The Bismarck Bobcats are preparing for atwo-game weekend showdown at the V.F.W. Sports Center against the up-and-comingAlbert Lea Thunder, starting on Friday.
The Thunder enter the weekend on a two-game winning streakafter notching wins of 5-1 over the North Division's Janesville Jets and then4-1 over the North Iowa Outlaws to pull within six points of the Outlaws forthe Central's fourth and final playoff spot.
"I've really got to tip my hat to ()," said Bobcats head coach Byron Pool. "He's done so much to changethe entire culture in that organization and put them on track to not only be aspoiler but seriously contend for a playoff spot in the last two months of theseason."
Led by the likes of Top Prospects Tournament selectionsDerek Docken- who committed earlier this week to the University ofAlaska-Anchorage- and Brian Nehring (6 G, 16 A), the Thunder have fared the bestagainst the Bobcats among any Central Division team with a 2-3-0 record (.400winning pct.) in five games between the two sides, including a 7-3 win over the'Cats on December 11th.
"Albert Lea is a very dangerous team," noted Bobcats forwardBryce Schmitt, "because they have the potential to come out on any night andblow out any team in the league. They've got a lot of offensive talent and canstrike quickly."
On the other side, the Bobcats enter the weekend on athree-game winning streak after piling up victories over Alexandria, Owatonnaand North Iowa and have extended their lead in the Central to nine points overthe second-place Express.
The 'Cats are paced up front by assistant captain JasonFabian, whose 43 points (16-27-35) have him at fifth in scoring league-wide,along with Dominic Panetta (18-19-37) and Casey Kleisinger (15-22-37).
Between the pipes, the Bobcats are anchored by goalies RyanFaragher (16-5-6, 2.24 GAA,.915 GAA) and Jake Williams (5-4-0, 2.92,.911);Thunder netminder Joe Rogers (8-12-2, 3.65,.896) has helped pace the AlbertLea's resurgence in the playoff hunt.
The series opens Friday with a 7:15 PM contest at the VFWSports Center; the game is being billed as "80's Night," with fans who dress upin their best 1980's garb receiving a free beer from 6:45 until the openingpuck drop.
Friday's game will be broadcast locally on the radio home ofBobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at BismarckBobcats.comvia B2 Networks. The pre-game show starts at 6:45 PM.
You won't want to miss any of the games this season, so order your Season Tickets, FamilyPacks and Group Nights today by calling the Bobcat Hockey Office at701-222-3300 or by e-mailing the office for more information at gobobcathockey@aol.com.
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2010
- Bobcats Welcome Resurgent Thunder - Bismarck Bobcats
- Rangers Off To Janesville - Marquette Rangers
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.
