BISMARCK, ND–The Bobcats attempt to break a three-game losing streak Friday night when they host the Minot Minotauros in the front end of a home-and-home weekend doubleheader.
Bismarck found the road to be a difficult place to win over the past two weekends, dropping a 5-4 overtime contest at Aberdeen November 1st, then falling victim to back-to-back shutouts at Austin last weekend, losing 3-0 and 1-0 last Friday and Saturday, respectively. It was the first time in the Bobcats’ tenure as an NAHL team that they were shut out in back-to-back games.
"We’re changing some things up," said Bobcat head coach Layne Sedevie Wednesday. "We need to manage the puck better, and we need to play better on the boards. Most of all, we just need to find a way to win."
Home has been a good place to find wins for the Bobcats this season. They are one of only four teams in the NAHL that are unbeaten at home. Bismarck is 7-0-0 at the VFW Sports Center. Last weekend’s opponent, the Austin Bruins, are 9-0-0, and North division teams Port Huron and Michigan are 6-0-2 and 6-0-3, respectively.
The Bobcats swept Minot in their first meetings of the year, topping the Minotauros 3-1 in Bismarck October 25th, then earning their last win at Minot 5-2 the next night. Since that time, Minot has acquired four new players, including three in trades with the Minnesota Wilderness, the first-place team in the Midwest division.
Gametime at the VFW Sports Center is set for 7:15 p.m. Friday night. Tickets are still available by calling the Bobcat ticket office at 222-3300. Fans can also buy an print online at www.bismarckbobcats.com. Pregame coverage begins on Supertalk 1270 KLXX Friday night at 6:50 p.m.