Inside the Den 3-6 - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Inside the Den 3-6

Aaron Nelson went 17 and three last season as the back up tender between the pipes for the Bobcats..

This year Nelson is the main man for the Bobcats and he's proving he's up to the night in and night out grind.

The Bobcats have found many ways to win. One reason has been the lights out play of their net minder.

Coach Sedevie says, "I think he is arguably the best goaltender in our league if not the best goaltender in our league. We're happy to have him back here he gives us a chance to win every night."

Nelson was released from the Fargo Force earlier this season, and he came back to the Cats- since he has improved on last seasons averages-- Nelson's statistics are off the charts

Aaron says, "I've had a lot more time to get ready for games. with school last year it was kind of tough. I couldn't focus all day. I would focus on school work so. I've just focused a lot more got myself more prepared for games. It's been working out so far."

That focus has helped give him a 933 save percentage 1.89 goals against and he sits second overall in the NAHL amongst goaltenders.

"Personally I think it's a good thing. I mean there's a lot of good goalies in our league so it's definitely great to be on top. I've had a lot of help this year from my guys. They've been doing a great job defensively so that helps too," says Nelson.

Nelson's style is aggressive to say the least-- coming as far out as he can to cut angles down.

That can get a little nerve wracking for Coach Sedevie, who was a goaltender himself.

"Well I think definitely at times it does. but we've tried to find a happy medium with him. I don't want to take away his aggressiveness. Nelly he's gotta be aggressive we just don't want him. The biggest thing with our goaltenders is we don't want to beat ourselves," says Sedevie.

Aaron says, "I don't know sometimes it gets a little out of control but I think it's a good thing. I think when I'm aggressive I play my best."

Nelly, as his teammates like to call him, sports a 20-7 and 3 record this season.. but recently has had a couple of rough weeks.

"This year it's different. I think I play better at home and I haven't gotten many breaks on the road this season. I got pulled a couple times the past couple weeks but I don't know. I'm just gonna keep working hard and get my game ready for playoffs," says Nelson.

The Bobcats will look for Nelson to be on top of his game this month as they head into playoffs hopefully with home ice advantage in the first round.

This weekend you can watch the Bismarck Bobcats face the Minot Minotauros live on KX.

The game will be broadcast here on your regular CBS station, not on the weather channel.

You can also view the game on kxnet.com We'll be on live at 7 PM.