Drive for Show
Bobcats’ Showcase Slate Revealed
FRISCO, TX – The final piece of the Bismarck Bobcats’ 2016-17 regular season schedule is now known, as the North American Hockey League announced the times and dates for the Cats’ four games at the 2016 Showcase in Blaine, Minn., on Wednesday.
Starting on September 21, the Bobcats’ Showcase slate features a pair of first-time matchups, a 2016 Robertson Cup Tournament rematch and another go-round with a former divisional foe.
Just four days after Coors Light Opening Night, the Cats will open Showcase play against the Lone Star Brahmas on September 21 at 5:15pm—the first time that the two sides will have ever met in either the postseason or regular season. Over the past two seasons, head coach Dan Wildfong has guided the Brahmas to 79 total wins and a trip to the 2015 Robertson Cup Tournament.
Day Two of the Showcase will see another first-time foe when the Bobcats face the defending East Division champion Aston Rebels at 11:15am. In their inaugural season in suburban Philadelphia, the Rebels reached the 2016 Robertson Cup Tournament under the tutelage of head coach Joe Coombs, who—like his Bobcats counterpart Layne Sedevie—formerly served as an assistant coach under former Bobcat bench boss Byron Pool.
A marquee matchup at the Showcase will come on Friday, September 23, with a Robertson Cup Tournament grudge match when the Bobcats battle the Wichita Falls Wildcats at 4:15pm. The Wildcats swept the Bobcats, two games to none, in the national semifinals in May. During the offseason, the Wildcats replaced departed head coach John LaFontaine with Tony Curtale—the winningest coach in modern NAHL history with 557 wins.
Showcase play ends for the Cats on Saturday, September 24, at 6:00pm against the Minnesota Magicians, who returned to the Midwest Division after spending last year in the Central. The Bobcats knocked Minnesota out of playoff contention on the second-to-last day of the 2015-16 regular season.
Preparation for the 20th season of Bobcat Hockey kicks into high gear on August 28, when players report back to the capital for Training Camp and the Cats’ world-famous “Hell Week” conditioning program.
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.
