For the second game in a row the Bobcats outshot their opposition by a significant margin but unfortunately were not able to get the two points tonight in Drayton Valley, losing 3-2 in overtime.
The Bobcats hit the road to take on the Drayton Valley Thunder for a Sunday afternoon game, the 13-10-1 Bobcats were bumped back to 4th place in the North Division standings. Meanwhile the 8-11-2 Drayton Valley Thunder were sitting last place in the North Division but having made significant strides as of late, putting their 5 game winning streak on the line today.
The Bobcats came out strong as they let the shots fly, and they’d make it count. Braden Crone would score a gritty goal getting help from Brock Weston to give the ‘Cats the 1-0 lead. But a minute later Thunder would equalize, Douglas Morris getting the creit. Before the period would end the Bobcats would go shorthanded, Braden Jakubowski put Drayton Valley ahead on the powerplay. After the first period the Thunder were up 2-1.
In the second period the Bobcats would get 14 shots at Thunder goalie Marc Olivier Daigle, but couldn’t get anything past him. Meanwhile Drayton Valley only got 3 shots on Sean Kuehn, Thunder still leading 2-1 after the second period.
The ‘Cats didn’t let up in the third period, and were finally rewarded with a goal. Ryan Swier put one up top to even the score at 2-2, helpers coming in from Nolan Yaremchuk and Tanner Dunkle. ‘Cats continued to pour on the pressure with shots but this one ended up going to the extra frame, 2-2 after 60 minutes.
Bobcats pressed hard in overtime, hitting the bar and coming close to a winner but it would be the Thunder’s Michael Cardinal putting it past Sean Kuehn to end the game. Bobcats gain a point, but lose in overtime 3-2. Bobcats outshot the Thunder 44-21.
“I feel one of the biggest misgivings we make as a team if that when we look at the score clock and see that we are noticeably out front in shots; we seem to relax as a team and the perception is we are accomplishing our goal and in control of our destiny. We need to understand you win games by out scoring your opponents not out shooting them. I felt we played a fairly strong road game in all aspects except for finish around the net. We need to be grittier and more mentally prepared and committed around the net to win these one goal games,” GM/Coach Garry VanHereweghe said after the game.
Bobcats come home right after the game to prepare for the Sherwood Park Crusaders who they take on at the Civic Centre on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:30 PM.