Mar 24, 2006 - 02:06:51 CST
Jeremy Robert really knows how to make up for lost time.After missing more than a month with an ankle injury, the Bismarck Bobcats forward has five goals in his last four games, including a pair of two-goal games last weekend.
"He stepped right back into the lineup and started working,"Bobcats coach Dane Litke said. "He's just shooting more.
"Jeremy's putting the puck on net, and it's a perfect example of how good things happen when you just get the puck on target."
Robert has picked a great time to heat up, as the playoffs are just around the corner. Bismarck plays its final two regular-season games tonight and Saturday against Fargo-Moorhead.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound center from Maplewood, Minn., tore a couple of ligaments in his right ankle about five weeks ago against Alexandria, and didn't return until the last five games for Bismarck.
He came back firing, as he said he wanted to set the tone for playing in the playoffs.
"A lot of it is just shooting, and you always hear that you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take," Robert said. "I've only been back for five games, and I wanted a good end of the year.
"I just go to the net hard and dig for the puck,"he added. "I'm that guy that does the stuff nobody else wants to do."
There's no question that Robert has been working his tail off for goals, but he's also been getting some good bounces.
"He's been putting the puck on net, and he's found out that sometimes good things happen,"Litke said. "He's gotten a few goals where he's just floated in a wrister or flipped a backhand and they've gone in."
Robert said that getting a few goals right away after missing so much time has given him a huge boost of confidence.
He said that it's amazing how much a couple of lucky bounces got him right back in the groove.
"I wanted to make sure I was back in shape and ready for the playoffs, and I'm just happy I've been able to contribute right away,"Robert said. "The last couple of games, they just seem to be going in.
"It's been a big confidence booster."
After losing the first three games against Fargo-Moorhead this season, Bismarck has won seven games in a row against the Jets.
While Bismarck is locked into the third spot in the NAHL Central division, Litke said this weekend is important as far as setting the tone for the postseason.
"It's going to be a playoff-type atmosphere, that's for sure,"Litke said. "We haven't seen them in a while, so it will be good to get used to some of their tendencies again.
"Fargo always seems to bring out the best in the guys, and Ihope we can continue to have the same success that we've had lately."
Robert added that these two games may be the final regular-season games for the Bobcats, but the team will likely be in playoff mode against a quality opponent like the Jets.
"The biggest thing is to come together at the end of the season,"Robert said. "You want to be all polished up and ready to go for the playoffs, and this is the best time of the year to get on a good run."
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