Bobcats Unveil 2013-14 Schedule
FRISCO, TX – The road map for the Bismarck Bobcats’ 17th season is now set as the North American Hockey League released the 2013-14 schedule Tuesday.
Once again a 60-game slate, the 2013-14 campaign will feature contests against 11 different NAHL opponents, 46 Central Division tilts and home weekends against three different out-of-division foes.
In addition to face-offs with traditional Central rivals such as the Aberdeen Wings, Austin Bruins, Brookings Blizzard and Minot Minotauros, the Bobcats will also tangle with the defending Robertson Cup champion Amarillo Bulls, national runner-up Wenatchee Wild, expansion Minnesota Wilderness, former league champion Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Soo Eagles, Janesville Jets and Johnstown Tomahawks.
“We’re excited about the schedule because it’s a great challenge,” confessed Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, entering his fourth season as the Cats’ bench boss. “Look at the out-of-division part and you see the two teams from this year’s national finals, the team that won the North Division in the regular season (Soo) and a team like Fairbanks that is always in the national title mix.
“With character and skill guys coming back like Aaron Nelson, Dan Kovar, Stanislav Dzakhov, Levi Blom and the rest of our veterans, tenders and draft picks, we’re up for the challenge.”
The curtain rises on the 2013-14 season when the Cats take on the Eagles September 18 in Blaine, Minn., as part of the Easton NAHL Showcase. Amarillo, Janesville and Johnstown comprise the rest of the Bobcats’ Showcase calendar.
Coors Light Opening Night will be September 27 as the Bobcats host the Midwest Division’s Wild, coached by all-time USA Junior Hockey wins leader and North Dakota native Bliss Littler.
Divisional rivalries dot the schedule as the Cats will kick off the 12-game Titan Machinery Dakota Cup series with the Wings October 4 at Odde Ice Center. Their first 2013 Central Division Finals rematch versus Austin will be November 8 at Riverside Arena. The Battle of US-83 against the Minotauros gets under way at home October 25.
In addition to the Wild, the Bobcats will bring the Ice Dogs and Wilderness—also of the Midwest Division—to the VFW Sports Center over the course of the 2013-14 campaign.
“Our fans are in for a real treat with the teams they’ll see at ‘the VFW’ this season,” explained Bobcats team owner and CEO Thom Brigl. “We’ve got the intense Central Division rivalries everyone has come to expect and then you bring in names that everyone knows like Bliss Littler, our old AWHL rivals in Fairbanks and [former NHL center] Corey Millen behind the bench with the Wilderness; it’s one of our most exciting home schedules that I can remember.”
Holiday home dates include the night before Thanksgiving against Minot and New Year’s Eve versus Aberdeen.
As it has been for the previous four seasons, all 2013-14 home games will begin at 7:15 PM, with gates opening at 6:30 PM.
For the full 2013-14 schedule, please visit BismarckBobcats.com.
Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are now on sale—and going fast! Fans can sign up by visiting the Bobcat Hockey office or by texting their name and the word “TICKETS” to 390-7422 (standard text messaging rates apply).