With a lineup fortified be several key veteran players, the Lloydminster Bobcats evened their exhibition record with a 9-2 victory over the Bonnyville Pontiacs at the Centennial Civic Centre Friday night.
The Pontiacs got the scoring started with an early goal from Isaac Saniga just under two minutes in, but the Bobcats were able to strike back with a pair of markers from Cory Santoro and Tristan Petrie to take a 2-1 lead into the dressing room.
Hometown goaltender Austin McGrath got the nod off the start, and performed well allowing just the one goal before ceding the crease to Jeremy Kelleway at the midway mark of the second period. Before McGrath’s night came to a close, he was given more support from teammate Kobe Walker who found the back of the net with a highlight reel backhand tally to make it 3-1.
Both sides would add another before the close of the middle frame as Eamon Duffy lit the lamp for the Pontiacs and Colby Wolter struck for the Cats, making it 4-2 heading into the final twenty minutes.
In the third period, the hometown Bobcats blew it open with another five unanswered goals from Wolter (second of the night), Connor Odelein, Tre Doyon, Dawson Bacon, and Walker (second of the night).
Matching his half-game performance from Wednesday night in Bonnyville, Kelleway allowed just a single goal over the final thirty minutes of the contest.
The exhibition schedule continues Monday night as the Bobcats host the Whitecourt Wolverines at 7:30PM. Tickets are just $5 at the door.