Playoff Preview Bobcats vs. Blizzard
March 30, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
Road to the Robertson Cup - Round One
Bismarck Bobcats vs. Alexandria Blizzard
3/30/09
- Playoff Preview
The Bismarck Bobcats (43-13-2, 88 points) will host game one of the best-of-five Central Division Semi-Finals against the Alexandria Blizzard (26-26-6, 58 points) on Friday night in the V.F.W. Sports Center. The Bobcats, who won the Central Division Championship for the regular season, were 12-2 against the Blizzard with four of those victories needing extra-time.
First Round Schedule (Central Division Semi-Finals)
#1 Bismarck Bobcats vs. #4 Alexandria Blizzard
Game 1 - Friday, April 3
Alexandria Blizzard @ Bismarck Bobcats 7:00pm
Game 2 - Saturday, April 4
Alexandria Blizzard @ Bismarck Bobcats 7:00pm
Game 3 - Friday, April 10
Bismarck Bobcats @ Alexandria Blizzard 7:00pm
Game 4 -Saturday, April 11
Bismarck Bobcats @ Alexandria Blizzard 7:00pm (if necessary)
Game 5 - Monday, April 13
Alexandria Blizzard @ Bismarck Bobcats 7:00pm (if necessary)
The Bobcats finished the regular season with the fourth best power play in the North American Hockey League at 18.2% and the second best penalty kill at 88.1%. Alexandria's power play finished seventh at 17.8%, while their penalty kill finished 13th at 84.0%.
In the regular season series between the two teams, the Bobcats and Blizzard were both scoring on the power play 12.5% of the time against each other.
The leading scorer in the regular season series from the Bobcats was Cody Keefer (10g, 3a, 13points). Alexandria's leading scorer was Joe Knoepke (6g, 5a, 11 points) against the Bobcats.
Both netminders for the Bobcats had similar numbers against the Blizzard. Matt Grogan (6-1-0) had a goal-against average of 1.69 and a save percentage of .943, while David Bosner (6-1-0) had a 1.68 GAA and a .942 save percentage.
Alexandria's goaltending against the Bobcats was mostly provided by Ryan Leets (2-6-3), who had a GAA of 2.55 and a .921 save percentage. However, newcomer Matt Hemingway played in the final game against Bismarck and had 36 saves on 38 shots in the loss. Hemingway has only played in two games this season for the Blizzard and has a 2.01 GAA and .940 save percentage.
Regular Season Team Leaders:
Alexandria Blizzard
Goals: Joe Knoepke (21)
Assist: Jerry Freismuth (40)
Points: Jerry Freismuth (55)
+/-: Derek Kaiser (+4)
PIM: Kyle Clement, Derek Kaiser (96)
Goalie Wins: Ryan Leets (20)
Goal Allowed Average: Ryan Leets (3.12)
Save Percentage: Ryan Leets (90.4%)
Bismarck Bobcats
Goals: Cody Keefer (29)
Assist: Jordan Singer (27)
Points: Cody Keefer (54)
+/-: John Clark (+38)
PIM: John Avino (125)
Goalie Wins: David Bosner (24)
Goal Allowed Average: David Bosner (1.83)
Save Percentage: David Bosner (93.3%)
You can listen to all the games on Super Talk 1270 AM with the "Voice of the Bobcats," Skip Berry beginning 30 minutes before the puck drops for the "Dvorak Motors - Pre-Game Show." Also, watch every game online through the B2 Networks.
The Bobcats will host game one and game two of the first-round against the Alexandria Blizzard Friday (7:00pm) and Saturday (7:00pm) night in the V.F.W. Sports Center. Purchase your playoff tickets at the Bobcat Hockey office in the V.F.W. Sports Center, online http://tickets.bismarckbobcats.com/ or call (701)-222-3300 for more information.
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North American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2009
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- Playoff Preview Bobcats vs. Blizzard - Bismarck Bobcats
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