Bobcats Open Home Schedule with Robertson Cup Rematch
BISMARCK, ND – The Bismarck Bobcats will host their 17th Coors Light Opening Night in franchise history as they kick off their home schedule Friday night with a Robertson Cup Tournament rematch against the Wenatchee Wild at the VFW Sports Center, with a series finale to follow Saturday.
“There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a home opener,” beamed Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, now in his fourth year as the Cats’ bench boss. “The atmosphere, the fans, the roar when that first goal goes in; it’s hard to beat.”
Coming off a 2-2-0 finish at the 2013 Easton NAHL Showcase, the Bobcats look to get back over .500 as they host Wild, who represented the now-defunct West Division at the 2013 Robertson Cup.
The two-game set will once again have a mentor-student theme as Sedevie squares off against Wenatchee’s Bliss Littler, who coached him during his junior career over a decade ago.
“I’m very fortunate, having been able to observe Bliss during my playing days and now being able to call him and talk to him as a colleague,” observed Sedevie. “He’s a great resource, along with (former Bobcats head coach) Byron Pool and Mike Corbett.”
Though the Cats went 0-3-1 against Littler and Wenatchee during the 2012-13 regular season, they managed to defeat the Wild 3-2 on day one at the national tournament.
With a completely turned over roster for the visiting Wenatchee squad, there isn’t likely any lingering animosity between the Bobcats and Wild, but there’s still plenty on the line Friday and Saturday.
“We want to come out and play well in front of our great fans,” asserted Bobcats captain Filip Starzynski, who posted two goals and three assists last week in Blaine, Minn., “and show that we’re ready to build on the momentum we gained at the Showcase.”
Prior to the game, fans can enjoy live music and entertainment with 96.5 The Fox.
Both Friday and Saturday’s contests are scheduled for 7:15 PM puck drops.
Fans can buy and print tickets online at BismarckBobcats.com or call the box office at 222-3300.
Friday's home opener will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide on the internet television partner of the North American Hockey League, NAHL.FASTHockey.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 6:45 PM.
Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are now on sale—and going fast! Reserve your seats for the new season, including the brand new Dasher Bar, by calling the Bobcat Hockey office at 222-3300.