BISMARCK, ND – Even at one game a side, the Central Division Finals return to the VFW Sports Center Friday for Game Three of the best-of-five series between the Bismarck Bobcats and the Coulee Region Chill.
The two teams piled up 19 goals in the first two games of the series as the Bobcats claimed Game One 6-4 while the Chill took Game Two 6-3 at the Omni Center.
“We’re hoping to get out and play our game and give our fans a great show,” said Bobcats head coach Layne Sedevie. “They’ve been great during our run and we owe it to them to come out and play our best.”
Bobcat fans have packed the house the last two home weekends, filling the VFW Sports Center with over 1,000 fans per game.
The Bobcats, the Central Division’s top defense during the regular season, hopes that the offense that produced nine goals in Onalaska will get Game Three started off quickly.
“It’s going to be really important to come out flying and get the crowd going,” said forward Nick Miglio, who has found a home of late on a line with Sam Dougherty and Emerson Auvenshine. “If you look at our playoff game, the team that has scored first has won almost every game, so we really want that first one.”
In the Cats’ seven playoff games, the team scoring first is 6-1.
All of the offense in the series has come as a bit of a surprise considering the goaltending matchups that feature 2010 Top Prospect selections Ryan Faragher—the 2010-11 regular season wins leader in the NAHL—along with Air Force commit Paul Moberg and Aaron Davis—one of the hottest goalies down the stretch with a 5-1-1 record to close the regular season and a 3-0 opening round record.
Dan Zawacki has led the Bobcats’ charge in the playoffs, tied for second in playoff scoring league-wide with 10 points—including two goals and four assists in the Division Finals.
Mercyhurst recruit Zac Frischmon is the Chill’s top playoff scorer with four goals and four assists.
Game Three is scheduled for a 7:15 PM start Friday at the VFW Sports Center. Game Four will follow Saturday at the same time. If necessary, Game Five will be back at the Omni Center Monday at 7:00 PM.
Friday’s postseason contest will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide at http://nahl.fasthockey.com/. Pre-game coverage will begin at 6:45 PM CT.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2011-12 season! Call the Bobcat Hockey office at (701) 222-3300 or email gobobcathockey@aol.com for more information on reserving your seats for next season!
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