Bismarck, ND. The Wentchee Wild were allegedly the number two team in the country, and the Bobcats outplayed them and out-skated them all weekend long. If I was the rest of the Central Division, I would be worried. Coach Littler had no answer for a fired-up Bismarck Bobcat team. This was the beginning of a National Championship run, and Aaron Nelson is your early MVP. Filip Starzynski showed that even though the Wild had a number in front of them, numbers mean nothing to Layne Sedevie and the Bismarck coaching staff. I was particularly pleased with how the Bobcats took the play to the Wild. The fact that Wenatchee went to the national title game and played against Amarillo has obviously given the Bobcats fuel to their fire. I have never been more impressed with a Bobcat team. Winning the Borne Cup was fun, but the way we were able to dominate the supposed number two team in the country was something to behold. Chris Diver set the tone on Friday after it looked like the Wild would be in position to ruin the festivities on Friday night. Diver took the heart right out of the Wild with a quick response. Chris Diver was a part of the tragedy one year ago, when the Bobcats missed the national championship by one goal. This weekend definitely sent a warning to the rest of the Central Division. We haven’t even played a Divisional game yet, and I’m already very, very impressed with the makeup of the team that Layne and Garrett have built over the summer. Historically, the Bobcats are known for not having momentum early in the season, but I think without a doubt, this Bobcat team is for real. They already have four wins on the year. The Bobcats have an opportunity to look like last year’s early season run-away favorite Austin Bruins. If anyone thinks they have any answers, they should know that the road to a Divisional title will once again go through Cat Town, USA. On a personal note, I would like to take time and say while the win over Bliss was fun, the Bobcats are losing a legend. This guy has taught me how to be a better hockey writer than what I already am. Paul Teeple, congratulations on going to the Everblades, but you will be forever in the Sheriff’s heart. We love you, and you will be sorely missed around Bobcat Nation. My favorite Paul Teeple memory happened to come from Riverside Arena, where the Bobcats were down and in the very last second, I thought Paul Teeple was going to come through my radio and come through my walls and jump in my lap. It sounded like the guy was on Jolt Cola. You might try, but you’ll never take the Bobcats out of PT. He was a joy to work with over the last five years. Thanks for the memories, Paul, and remember where you can find updates on your old team. Shot and a goal!
