The Bismarck Bobcats' recent six-game road trip took them to a place they haven't been for a long time - above .500.

By coming out on top in all six of those contests, the Bobcats (13-8-1) now have a winning record for the first time since Nov. 3, 2006.

As a result, the Bobcats are just one point out of first place in the Central Division as they return to the VFW Sports Center for this weekend's two-game series against struggling Albert Lea.

Bobcats' coach Byron Pool said there has been no particular secret to Bismarck's success.

"It's tough to put a finger on one thing, because each weekend was different," Pool said. "The one we went to Owatonna and Albert Lea, we weren't playing our best, but we found ways to win. We got outstanding goaltending from Matt Grogan and David Bosner. The next weekend at Alexandria, we had a line of Cody Keefer, Joel Lundstrom and Jeffrey Harris pick it up. Then last week in North Iowa, we were just good enough on Friday, but Saturday we were bang on. That was the best game we played."

That the Bobcats are becoming resourceful enough to find different ways to win bodes well for the team's future.

"That's important if you're going to be a good hockey team," he said. "… And it's nice as a coach, because it's very easy to keep guys happy. Everybody's contributing, so we're not throwing the same line out in every situation."

Of course, a six-game winning streak is no guarantee of anything. Last season the Bobcats put together six straight wins right before the bottom dropped out. They went 9-21-4 the rest of the year.

"We can't get overconfident," Pool said. "We're winning a lot of one-goal hockey games, but we're getting comfortable playing with a one-goal lead."

One of the reasons is that Bismarck continues to get outstanding goaltending. David Bosner, who has a 2.06 goals against average, has been one of the league's best goalies since taking over the No. 1 spot during the NAHL Showcase. But backup Matt Grogan has also excelled lately, posting a 1.25 GAA and a .950 save percentage in his last four games.

"Matt has been phenomenal," Pool said. "He's capable of being a No. 1 goalie in this league. … In the past couple of months he has figured out what he needs to do to play."

Pool said he plans to stick with the combination that has been working, playing Bosner on Friday and Grogan on Saturday.

The Bobcats don't want to take anything for granted against Albert Lea, despite the expansion Thunder's awful 1-16-2 record. The fact that Albert Lea's lone victory came against Bismarck should help in that regard.

"They're a better hockey team than they were early in the season," Pool said. "… They're hard-working, physical, and they've been getting great goaltending from (former Bobcat) Tom Lescovich."

Clark commits to Army

Bobcats captain John Clark has verbally committed to play for Army next season. Clark, a 19-year-old defenseman from Baudette, Minn., has no goals and seven assists in 20 games this year and a plus-10 rating.

His brother, Jay, plays goal for the Black Knights.

"Jay told me to commit if that's where I wanted to play and after going there to visit West Point, it was the right place for me," said Clark, who has been with the Bobcats since last season. "He made sure I understood what I'm getting into by committing to the Army and I've always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself."