Huge Weekend Looms as League-Best Wild Invade
Published on September 27, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
BISMARCK, ND - The Bismarck Bobcats will close out a ferocious September as they host the league-leading, undefeated Wenatchee Wild for a two game series at the VFW Sports Center, starting Friday at 7:15 PM.
Wenatchee enters the weekend as one of two unbeaten teams in the NAHL, along with the defending Robertson Cup champion Texas Tornado, at 6-0-0 and is fresh off of a two-game sweep at Minot that saw the Wild outscore the Minotauros 8-2 over the course of two games, including a 3-0 shutout.
"We're expecting a really tough test from Wenatchee," submitted Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, "they're a strong, fast team with a great defensive corps and one of the best goalies in the league in Robbie Nichols. Their offense has a lot of talent with guys like Jono Davis and they're extremely well-coached."
Indeed, no junior coach can claim the resume of first-year Wild bench boss Bliss Littler, who currently holds the United States record for Junior "A" head coaching wins with 405.
The Cats' enter the weekend on a win streak of their own, having swept a two-game set from the Fresno Monsters last weekend to snap a three-game losing skid coming out of the season-opening NAHL Showcase.
Despite the two wins against a strong Fresno side, the Bobcats recognize there is still plenty left to be worked on.
"Our player play needs to start converting on scoring chances," said Bobcats forward Joe Giordano, who has logged power play time in all six of the team's games so far. "We're setting up and moving the puck well but the execution hasn't been there yet. If we keep working hard and making smart plays, the goals will start coming."
Rory Vesel's game-winner in Saturday's 2-1 home win over Fresno halted an 0-for-19 slump on the power play for the Bobcats that stretched back to game one against Jamestown.
In net, Nichols-sporting an early 2.33 GAA after turning heads in 2011-12 with a mark of 1.49-will look to follow up a shutout of Minot with a strong effort at the VFW while Bobcat goalie Bryan Nies aims to keep the momentum from a 55-saves-on-57-shots series against the Monsters that earned him Central Division Star of the Week honors.
The Bobcats view the September clash against the perennial powerhouse Wild, who have never finished worse than second place in the West Division in their four previous years as a franchise, as an early measuring stick.
"By all indications, they're the team to beat," asserted Sedevie, "and we're looking forward to seeing how we stack up against a team that's playing some great hockey right now."
Friday's series opener begins at 7:15 PM and 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 6:45.
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 27, 2012
- Huge Weekend Looms as League-Best Wild Invade - Bismarck Bobcats
- Kalamazoo Adds Rookie Defenseman - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
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.
