AUSTIN, MN – The Bismarck Bobcats open the last month of the 2010-11 regular season with a two-game series at Riverside Arena against the Austin Bruins starting Friday night.
Entering March, the Bobcats (27-17-4, 58 pts) sit six points out of first place behind the Owatonna Express (29-17-6, 64 pts) and five points behind second-place Coulee Region (29-15-5, 63 pts).
“This weekend is huge for us,” admitted Bobcats defenseman John Furgele. “We need to come out strong and get four points this weekend because the standings are so close that everyone is a threat.”
The Bobcats are 6-1-1 against the Bruins in eight meetings, but the Bruins have won five of their last seven games—including a 5-4 shootout win against the Cats—and are within 10 points of the Central Division’s fourth and final playoff spot.
Austin’s recent hot play doesn’t come as a surprise to the Bobcats.
“They’re a good, hardworking team and they come out flying every night,” noted Furgele. “We need to be prepared and play a full 60 minutes both nights.”
Charlie Adams leads the surging Bruins with 35 points on 16 goals and 19 assists while goalie Keegan Asmundson has won four of his last five starts.
Team captains Matt Gates and Ryan Faragher will be the focus for the Bobcats, who look to close ground on the Chill and Express—who play each other in a two-game series this weekend. Gates has better than a point-per-game average for the Cats with 51 points in 46 contests and Faragher has a league-best 26 wins on the year.
The two-game series will be the Bobcats’ last trip to Austin for the 2010-11 season. The Cats will be without head coach Layne Sedevie Friday night, as he will serve a one-game suspension following his ejection from last Saturday’s game against Coulee Region.
Friday’s matchup starts at 7:35 with Saturday’s series finale beginning at 7:05 PM.
Both contests will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at http://nahl.fasthockey.com/. As with all away games during the 2010-11 season, fans are encouraged to view the game at Reza’s Pitch—the official away game Home of the Bobcats—at the corner of Third and Front in Bismarck. Pre-game coverage will begin at 7:05 PM Friday and 6:35 PM Saturday.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2010-11 season! Call the Bobcat Hockey office at (701) 222-3300 or email gobobcathockey@aol.com for more information on reserving your seats for the entire season as the Bobcats look to defend the Robertson Cup!
BOBCAT HOCKEY
2010 ROBERTSON CUP CHAMPIONS