FRISCO, TX – With a goal and six assists on the way to a Bismarck Bobcats weekend sweep of bitter rivals from Aberdeen and Alexandria, rookie forward Shane Omdahl has been named the Number One Star of the week for the NAHL Combat Hockey Three Stars of the Week.
“It’s really nice to be able to pick up a league award, especially so early in the season,” admitted Omdahl, “but it’s honestly more of a team thing. Everyone was out there working hard, and I don’t get as many points if guys like Tyler Richter and Patty Moore aren’t finishing.”
The former Roseau (Minn.) Ram kick-started the weekend by assisting on all three Bobcat goals in Friday’s 3-1 win over the Aberdeen Wings on Coors Light Opening Night including a helper that freed Richter for the team’s first goal of the home schedule.
Omdahl followed up his Friday effort by opening the scoring Saturday with a rolling backhander that fooled goalie Jameson Shortreed just 5:15 into the contest against the Alexandria Blizzard. He then went on to add three assists to cap the seven-point homestand
“Shane has been a bright spot for us since day one and has played great for a rookie,” said Bismarck head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie. “He has excelled in all game situations and was a big reason behind our success this past weekend.”
Omdahl’s high-octane series came in the face of uncertainty, as linemate Nikolaj Rosenthal unexpectedly departed the team earlier in the week, causing Sedevie to shuffle Omdahl’s line, adding Moore to the mix along with Castan Sommer. The 5’11”, 190 pound forward responded well to the switch: assisting on all five goals his new linemates scored.
According to Omdahl, who now ranks fourth in the league with 10 points (3 G, 7 A), support from the coaching staff has played a big role in his strong start to 2011-12.
“Right from the start, Coaches Sedevie and Peluso have had a lot of confidence in me, putting me out there in power play situations and close games,” noted Omdahl. “Knowing that the coaches are behind me like that lets me go out there and play my best.”
The Three Stars nod marks the first time a Bobcat has taken down the new weekly honor, which the NAHL introduced for the 2011-12 season.
The Bobcats open a four-game road swing in Aberdeen Friday with a 7:15 PM faceoff against the rival Wings at Odde Ice Center.
Friday’s Dakota Cup showdown 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 are now on sale for the 2011-12 season—and going fast! Call the Bobcat Hockey office at (701) 222-3300 or email gobobcathockey@aol.com for more information on reserving your seats for the upcoming season!
BOBCAT HOCKEY
2011 CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS