Monday Roundup: Bobcats Visit Sanford Children’s Hospital
Last Week:
Tuesday, November 11: Brookings 4, Bobcats 3
Saturday, November 15: Aberdeen 5, Bobcats 4 (OT)
This Week:
Friday, November 21: Bobcats vs. Minotauros, VFW Sports Center, 7:15pm
Saturday, November 22: Bobcats at Minotauros, Maysa Arena, 7:35pm
Team Landon
BISMARCK, ND – During their off-day on Friday, the Bismarck Bobcats paid a visit to cancer patient Landon LaVallie and all the kids at Sanford’s Children’s Hospital.
"I think our visit has the chance to be a great help for these little guys and girls,” said veteran forward Matt Perry, “just for them to know that we're thinking about them and always on their side.”
LaVallie, a five-year-old Bismarck native, was visited over the summer while in treatment in Minneapolis by Cullen Willox, but got to meet the whole team Friday.
“It was such a treat for Landon to meet everyone,” noted Michelle LaVallie, Landon’s mother. “He had such a big smile on his face.”
The players also visited four other children that were in the hospital Friday.
"It really just feels good that we can make this difference in our community and help out kids who obviously aren't as fortunate as some others," added Willox.
Kids that the players visited received gifts that included autographed pucks and foam fingers.
Starry Nights
With a three-goal week, Bobcat captain Evan Giesler picked up Central Division Second Star of the Week honors, the NAHL announced Monday.
It marks the third straight week the Cats have placed the first and/or second Star of the Week in the Central.
Giesler had one goal Tuesday before scoring twice Saturday against the Aberdeen Wings.
After scoring just three goals over the first 13 contests of the season, the third-year winger has compiled eight goals in the last eight games and now leads the Bobcats with 11 total tallies.
Fellow Air Force commit Matt Perry earned honorable mention for the award after a week that featured a power play goal, a shorthanded goal and an assist.
Alumni Continue to Shine
It was another strong weekend for former Bobcats, as 20 alums combined for 32 points at the collegiate and professional levels between Thursday and Sunday.
Defenseman John Furgele (2010-12) registered his first collegiate goal for New Hampshire on the power play Friday, and it wound up being the game-winner as UNH topped Northeastern 5-3.
Also notching a game-winner on the weekend is former Bobcat captain Bryce Schmitt (2009-12), who potted the only goal of Lake Superior State’s 1-0 win at Alabama-Huntsville on Friday. The junior continues to lead the Lakers in scoring with seven points (4g, 3a).
At the Division III level, forward Joe Giordano (2012-13) had a huge pair of games for Connecticut College, netting two goals and adding two assists as the Camels split their season-opening weekend. He is currently tied for third in all of D-III with 2.00 points per game.
Center Huba Sekesi (2013-14) also chimed in big-time for St. John’s in MIAC play, netting a hat trick on Saturday as the Johnnies wrapped up a sweep of St. Olaf.
Other members of the black and gold fraternity to secure NCAA points on the weekend included: Blake Schammel (Gustavus, 2g, 1a); Patrick Moore (UW-Eau Claire, 1g, 2a); Cory Chapman (Augsburg, 1g, 2a); Tyler Dunagan (St. John’s, 2a); Charlie Mosey (Dartmouth, 1g); Danny Ray (UW-Stout, 1g); Sam Rendle (Bemidji State, 1a); Dominic Panetta (Ferris State, 1a); Alex Ach (St. John’s, 1a); Mike Fazio (UW-River Falls, 1a); Adam Knochenmus (UW-Eau Claire, 1a); Nick Miglio (Utica, 1a); Patrick Coyne (Lawrence, 1a); Nate Flynn (Augsburg, 1a); Rory Vesel (Augsburg, 1a).
In the pros, Myles Harvey had an assist and a plus-3 rating Saturday in the Utah Grizzlies’ 4-2 home win over the Ontario Reign in ECHL action.
Coming Up
The Bobcats will try and get back on track at 7:15pm Friday as they host the front end of a home-and-home series with the Minot Minotauros at the VFW Sports Center.
Tickets are now on sale for round two of the Battle of US-83: fans can buy and print their tickets 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com or charge by phone at 222-3300.
Live coverage of the rivalry tilt will begin Saturday at 6:45pm locally on SuperTalk 1270, KLXX-AM, the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, and worldwide online at NAHL.FASTHockey.com, the official web television partner of the North American Hockey League.
Though the 2014-15 season is now under way, there is still time to order season tickets for the year; fans who want to lock in their seats for the entire campaign should call the Bobcat office at 222-3300 today!
