It wasn’t the Bobcats night at they fall to the Spruce Grove Saints 7-1 tonight at the Civic centre.
After a big 6-3 road victory in Bonnyville the night before, the Bobcats got right back at it at home the next night, as the #1 CJHL ranked Spruce Grove Saints brought their 7 winning streak into town on Wednesday night. The Bobcats were sitting at a record 18-13-4 on the year, good for 40 points and third place in the North Division, a 2 point lead over fourth place Whitecourt Wolverines. Meanwhile the Spruce Grove Saints had overtaken the Fort McMurray Oil Barons for 1st place in the North Division with a record of 27-5-1 on the year. The Bobcats have played the Saints hard all season long, but were looking for their first win against Spruce Grove this season going 0-2-1 against them this year.
Bobcats found themselves shorthanded seconds into the game, Spruce Grove capitalized Paul Lovsin put the Saints ahead 1-0. But not long after the Bobcats would answer, a scramble in front of Saints’ goalie Kenny Cameron ensued with Braden Crone picking up the pieces, 1-1 hockey game, Erin Therrien and Taylor Mulder with the assists. That’s how the first period would end, shot also tied 6-6.
In the second period, Bobcats shorthanded early, Spruce Grove take the lead back, Dylan Hollman left alone in front 2-1 Saints. Then midway in the 2nd period Spruce Grove would add two more only 20 seconds apart from each other, first Cole Nicholson then Riley Simpson scoring for the Saints. 4-1 Spruce Grove, and that’s how the period would end. Bobcats would make a change in goal during the period, Sean Kuehn getting taken out of the game with Devin Green replacing him.
The story of the third period were penalties as both teams got chippy resulting in over capacity penalty boxes. Spruce Grove would add another from Cameron Hughes on the power-play to make it 5-1. Brandon Hickey, Jake Mykitiuk would add two more making it 7-1 for the Saints and that’s how it would end.
After the loss the Bobcats move to 18-14-4 on the year, and remain in 3rd place in the North Division.
GM/Coach Garry VanHereweghe says his team got exactly what is deserved tonight, “this is definitely a wakeup call, probably the biggest wakeup call we’ve had this season.” Vanhereweghe admits that his team has found success, but has not been able to consistently play at that level, “We have had some success, but when we fail, we showcased a lot of the reasons why we fail against the top team in Alberta and in Canada.”
The Bobcats finish up the 2013 calendar schedule before the winter break with three road games. Next up, they head north to face the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Tuesday, December 17th. The next home game is Friday, January 10th vs. Olds Grizzlys.
Don't forget about the FREE Christmas Bobcats Skate which goes down at the Civic Centre on Sunday, December 15th from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, there will be free hot chocolate, candy and a visit from Santa!
