Mar 28, 2008 - 04:05:05 CDT
As far as coach Byron Pool is concerned, the Bismarck Bobcats can look at this weekend's two-game series against Springfield one of two ways: The end of this season or the beginning of next."We want them to compete and do well this weekend," Pool said. "Winning that last game would be a good way to send guys off so we can start next season on a new foot, to give them a feeling that good things are going to happen."
That would be a nice change of pace for the Bobcats, who have lost four straight, including an embarrassing 8-0 loss at Alexandria in their last game.
"That was a sign of our immaturity, which has kind of hurt us all year," Pool said. "We got down two or three goals and said, 'Why should we put in the effort?' It was one of the few times this year, despite our record, that I was disappointed with our effort."
The Bobcats (18-32-6) will finish with their worst record ever and are locked into last place, but there is still plenty at stake against the Jr. Blues, according to Pool.
"I told these guys, they're playing for jobs next year."
Springfield is in third place in the Central Division and presents the Bobcats with a formidable challenge.
The Jr. Blues have a balanced offense, including seven players who have scored between 15 and 21 goals. Kyle Greco, Cory Patterson and Matt Larke all have topped the 50-point mark.
"They're a big team, a physical team, with some talent up front and big goaltenders who cover a lot of net," Pool said.
3 ENDOFARIVALRY?:Former Bobcats coach Chad Johnson told The Associated Press on Thursday that the Fargo-Moorhead Jets will be relocating next season, but majority owner Todd Norman said no final decision has been made.
A departure by the Jets would come as no surprise with the impending arrival of the Fargo Force to the USHL. There didn't appear to be room for two junior hockey teams in a market which has struggled to support one.
Nonetheless, the loss of the Jets would be a blow to the Bobcats. Not only have the teams developed a strong rivalry over the past five seasons, but the Bobcats have played more than a quarter of their road games in Fargo in recent years.
"It's disappointing, but other than the extra travel, it's not changing any of our plans," Pool said. "We're very secure in the community and going ahead as planned."
Johnson said the Jets were considering a couple of cities in Minnesota, including Thief River Falls and Owatonna.
Earlier this week the Southern Minnesota Express, who have been in Owatonna the past three seasons, announced that franchise would be moving to Detroit next season. The Express isn't even finishing the season in Owatonna, playing its remaining home games in Kasson.
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