Despite a late comeback, the Lloydminster Bobcats persevered in overtime to take down the Fort McMurray Oil Barons 4-3 Friday night at the Civic Centre.
The Bobcats got two goals from local product Kobe Walker and Cole Johnson (including the OT winner) to help them down the MOB for their second straight win. It’s the first time the Bobcats have won two games in a row since February 17.
After killing off an early penalty, the Bobcats found their way onto the scoreboard when they had the man advantage.
Continuing his strong play of late, Walker found the back of the net on the power-play, after Cole Johnson found him from behind the net.
The score held at 1-0 after twenty minutes of play.
With just over five minutes to play in the middle frame, Johnson put home a loose puck to increase the Lloydminster lead to 2-0.
The Oil Barons were finally able to get one by Bobcats starting net-minder Nick Sanders. Will Conley put the puck past Sanders to pull the MOB within one.
However, before the period expired, Walker was back at it for the Cats. With just 18 seconds to go in the second period, the Lloydminster kid scored his second of the game to restore the two goal lead.
The Bobcats appeared to be well positioned going down the stretch, however, after taking their timeout late in the final regulation frame, the Oil Barons turned it on.
With goalie Chris Curr on the bench, Shane Fraser scored with 1:39 to go in the third, and then Conley tied the game with only 21 seconds to play.
The two late goals forced overtime with the score tied 3-3 and the shots 30-28 in favour of the Oil Barons.
During the extra session, the Bobcats generated most of the offence, outshoot Fort Mac 7-3. That seventh shot was off the stick of Cole Johnson and into the back of the net for a Bobcats victory. Making his Cats debut, Braydon Jenkins set-up the Johnson winner for his first point with Lloydminster.
In goal, Sanders made 30 saves on 33 shots. Chris Curr finished with 31 saves on 35 shots for the MOB.
On the power-play, the Cats finished 1 for 5, while Fort Mac went 0 for 3.
The Bobcats will resume their schedule Saturday night when they host the Drayton Valley Thunder.