This week JeremiahBoyce.com begins round 1 coverage of the Central Division Playoffs. The first area that we will take a look at is goaltending. How the two hockey clubs match-up in between the pipes. First, let’s go with the Alexandria Blizzard’s Ryan Leets vs. Bismarck’s David Bosner.

Ryan Leets – Alexandria Blizzard
2008/2009 Games Played-44
Wins-19
Losses-19
OT Losses-5
Save%-0.902

David Bosner – Bismarck Bobcats
2008/2009 Games Played-33
Wins-24
Losses-7
OT Losses-1
Save%-0.933

From the drop of the puck to the final horn, you will find the very best coverage of the Best-Of-Five playoff series between your Bismarck Bobcats and the Alexandria Blizzard.

Stay Tuned and Fired up!

Thursday, at the VFW SportsCenter, the Bismarck Bobcats and the Alexandria Blizzard were both in a preview for their first round match-up against one another.  In goal for Alexandria was Matt Hemingway, and in goal for Bismarck was Gilbert, AZ native Matt Grogan.  The Bobcats were the first to light the lamp at 18:23 of the first with a goal by Jordan Singer, but the Blizzard would answer with a goal by Kyle Clement.  Bismarck then got back to playing the kind of hockey that Bobcat fans are used to this year, which is a big reason why the Blizzard have to enter the Bobcat Den for the first round.  This game wasn’t without fighting, which sets up a fun first round to cover.

Before the Alexandria Blizzard took on the Bismarck Bobcats, several members of their organization made a special trip to North Dakota to help score a goal in another way.  They were there to keep the valley from seeing red.  Brad’s gentlemen are to be commended for their sand bagging efforts.  That goes to show you that athletes can become friends and guardian angels off the ice.

Thursday, at the VFW SportsCenter in Bismarck, is a dress rehearsal for the Bobcats first round playoff match-up with Alexandria.  This will be a best of five series.  The Blizzard are coached by Brad Willner, have plenty of talent, and tasted a run at the Robertson Cup one year ago.  The Bobcats come off of a Central Division title and have plenty of stars themselves, including a two-time player of the week, David Bosner, and plenty of skaters that are moving on to the next level, like their captain at home, John Clark.  Here’s what Coach Byron Pool and the Central Division champs need to focus on in order to get out of the first round.  They need to stop Alexandria’s key weapons Jerry Freismuth, Joe Knoepke, and Kyle Politz.  Knoepke has been a  Bobcat killer all season long.  When the Bobcats have power-plays, they must capitalize on them and be smart (no stupid penalties, stay out of the box).

When the Bobcats see Alexandria, they must be physical and take the body, within the rules of the game.  Something else to look forward to in their first round match-up is which team has fresher legs. It will be a testament of endurance.  Something that I am really looking forward to is no shootout.  If we are tied at the end of three periods, overtime.  If we are tied after that, more overtime.