Your Weekly Look at Bobcat Hockey
January 5, 2016 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
International Intrigue
FRISCO, TX - Behind a team-high ten points in eight December appearances, Bismarck Bobcats defenseman Patrik Demel earned the North American Hockey League's Easton Defenseman of the Month award Tuesday.
With one goal and nine assists, Demel turned heads with his offense but his improvement in his own end is what impressed the Bobcat coaches in the final month of 2015.
"Patrik's offensive skill helped our power play break out in December," lauded Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, whose power play posted a dizzying 11-for-30 mark in December, "but even more importantly he showed is a strong defender with good vision and hands."
Demel has been a consistent producer on the Bobcat blue line after arriving halfway through September's NAHL Showcase, never going more than two games without contributing a point.
With 10 points in December, however, the Ostrava, Czech Republic, native vaulted into the NAHL's top ten for scoring among blueliners--currently tied for eighth with 18 points (1g, 17a). His 17 assists are the fourth-most for a D-man in the league and tops among Central Division defenders.
Most importantly, Demel's rise helped spur the Cats' rise from fifth place at the start of December to a current first-place tie in the Central Division.
"I think the month of December was a good one because the team started to do the little things that made us successful, me included," said Demel. "I think once we started listening to the coaches and keeping things simple, success started to follow. I think that our special teams play, especially on the power play, was a huge key to us getting better. When stayed true to playing good systems, momentum eventually started to go our way and that's when things start to go in your favor."
Seven of his 10 points, including his goal, came on the power play in the month.
It is the first time a Bobcat has won a Player of the Month award since Alex Bitsakis was named Goalie of the Month for October 2014.
In addition to Demel's honor, Bobcat goalie Hunter Shepard snagged runner-up for Goalie of the Month thanks to a 5-1-0 December in which he posted a 1.68 GAA and a .938 SV%. Jared Pike was honorable mention for Forward of the Month with six goals and two assists in eight appearances.
Golden Boy
Hours ago in Helsinki, Finland, former Bobcat winger Roope Hintz rushed off the Team Finland bench to mob Kasperi Kapanen when the latter's overtime winner gave the Finns a 4-3 overtime win over Russia, capturing the gold medal for the host team at the 2016 World Junior Championships.
Hintz became the first current or former Bobcat to medal in the World Junior Championships' main group in his second tour at the tournament after placing fifth in 2015.
In six games, the 2012-13 Bobcat scored three goals--tied for 13th among all skaters in the top division--and added one assist. His biggest strike of the tournament came Monday in the semifinals when he scored the Finns' first goal to tie the game en route to a 2-1 victory over rival Sweden.
That Rings a Bell
Hunter Shepard's back-to-back shutouts mark the Cats' first back-to-back blankings since Ryan Faragher did it to Alexandria and Albert Lea in October 2009.
They also gave the Cats' shutouts against all other teams in the Central Division for the first time since Faragher and Jake Williams pulled it off against a five-team Central in 2009-10.
With his assist on Nick Wallace's GWG vs Minot on 12/31, Alex Strand reached 50 points for his career.
Also approaching the 50-career-points mark are Harrison Aide and Jared Pike, who are both three points shy of the milestone.
Upcoming Schedule
Fresh off a three-win week wrapped around New Year's, the Bobcats will face the archrival Minot Minotauros for their second home-and-home series in the last week and a half.
Bobcats at Minot
Friday, 1/8/16, at 7:35pm
Maysa Arena
Radio: SuperTalk 1270
Web TV: FASTHockey.com
Bobcats vs Minot
Saturday, 1/9/16, at 7:15pm
VFW Sports Center
Radio: SuperTalk 1270
Web TV: FASTHockey.com
Tickets: BismarckBobcats.com
Alumni Stats
NCAA Division I
Castan Sommer (2010-12, Holy Cross): 1 A
Matt Pohlkamp (2012-13, Bowling Green): 1 A
NCAA Division III
Frankie DeAugustine (2010-12, UMass-Boston): 4 G, 3 A
Rory Vesel (2011-13, Augsburg): 3 A
Nate Flynn (2013-14, Augsburg): 1 A
Corbin Chapman (2012-13, Augsburg): 1 A
Bob Kinne (2012-13, St. Mary's): 1 A
Connor McPherson (2012-13, Fitchburg State): 1 A
ECHL
Ryan Faragher (2009-11, Utah): 2-0-0, 69 S, 65 SV
Ryan Massa (2009-10, Orlando): 2-0-0, 58 S, 54 SV
Austin Coldwell (2007-08, Quad City): 4 A
Myles Harvey (2008-09, Orlando): 1 A
Eric Kattelus (2005-06, Kalamazoo): 1 A
SPHL
John McLean (2008-09, Pensacola): 2-1-0, 79 S, 71 SV
Blake Hietala (2007-08, Louisiana): 2 G, 2 A
Shawn Skelly (2006-07, Macon): 1 G, 3 A
Charlie Mosey (2010-11, Mississippi): 1 A
North American Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2016
- Brahmas December Alumni Update - Lone Star Brahmas
- Regen Cavanagh Named NAHL Forward of the Month - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Your Weekly Look at Bobcat Hockey - Bismarck Bobcats
- Wings Tender Feduolov - Aberdeen Wings
- NAHL Announces Monthly Player Awards for December - NAHL
- IceRays Alumni Report - Corpus Christi IceRays
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.
