The Bismarck Bobcats capitalized on a big first period and held off the visiting Aberdeen Wings in their preseason finale Saturday, defeating their closest geographic rival 4-2 at the VFW Sports Center.

The Bismarck Bobcats survived a wild second period to top the expansion Aberdeen Wings 6-4 in both teams’ preseason opener Friday at the VFW Sports Center.

The 2010 Robertson Cup Champion Bismarck Bobcats are closing in on the start of the 2010-11 season and the start of their title defense against the rest of the North American Hockey League. The offseason hits a crescendo Friday as the Bobcats’ Final Camp gets underway at the VFW Sports Center at 5:00 PM.

The Bismarck Bobcats now know the route of their Robertson Cup defense, as the North American Hockey League has released the 2010-11 season schedule.

The North American Hockey League has announced its divisional alignment for the 2010-11 season. The 26-team league will operate with four divisions: the Central (six teams), North (eight), South (six) and West (six).

A second consecutive division title, a team-record 12 NCAA Division I commitments and, of course, a national championship were the hallmarks of the 2009-10 Bismarck Bobcats season—a season that has earned them the title of 2010 Non-School Team of the Year as awarded by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Bismarck Bobcats forward Dominic Panetta became the tenth member of the 2009-10 Robertson Cup Championship squad to secure a place to play hockey at the NCAA Division I level, committing to Ferris State University for the 2011-12 season.

The Bismarck Bobcats completed the 2010 NAHL Entry Draft Wednesday, selecting 16 eligible players from across the country to reload the 30-man roster as the ‘Cats defend their 2010 Robertson Cup Championship.