Walinski, Isokangas Take Weekly Divisional Honors
FRISCO, TX – Five points and 54 saves were the key numbers from a two-game weekend sweep as the North American Hockey League named Bismarck Bobcats forward Mitch Walinski the Central Division Star of the Week while making goalie Severi Isokangas the Central’s Second Star of the Week.
Walinski took the week’s top spot with four goals and an assist in Friday’s 9-1 victory over the Brookings Blizzard, giving the Lincoln, R.I., native seven goals and four assists in January (6 GP).
“Mitch’s skill and attitude have been a great addition to our team,” hailed Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, who acquired Walinski and Michael Mahan in a December 7 trade with the Minnesota Wilderness. “He’s adjusted quickly to his new environment here with our team and his play is a big part of our turnaround since New Year’s.”
The first-year forward is the fifth different Bobcat to earn the division’s Star of the Week award, joining Jordan Fralich, Tobias Fladeby, Will Ulrich and Camden Haugenoe.
Monday marked the second consecutive that Isokangas’ performance in net merited Second Star of the Week recognition.
Another recent addition—arriving in an interleague trade on January 12—the Kauhava, Finland, native turned away 54 of 56 shots the Blizzard sent his way while posting a 0.99 GAA on the 2-0-0 weekend.
Overall, Isokangas is 4-1-0 in five starts with a 1.58 GAA and a .942 SV% since joining the Bobcats from Waterloo of the USHL.
Walinski, Isokangas and all the Bobcats open a home-and-home series Friday at Odde Ice Center against the Aberdeen Wings before returning to the VFW Sports Center for a Saturday rematch.
Tickets are now on sale for Saturday’s home leg of the weekend: fans can buy and print tickets online 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com or charge by phone at 222-3300.
Friday’s rivalry road clash will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270 AM, and worldwide on HockeyTV.com–the web television partner of the North American Hockey League–with pregame coverage starting at 6:45pm.
Pro-rated season tickets are now on sale for the Bobcats’ landmark platinum anniversary campaign fans can get more information or reserve their seats for all of Season Twenty now by calling 222-3300.