Bralin Technologies Game One Recap
Recap by Shane Tomayer
Far too long. That’s the amount of time between Lloydminster Bobcats regular season games. The Cats kicked off the season Friday night in Bonnyville with a number of new faces and a newly established core.
The Pontiacs started the game on a high hosting their home opener. Some extra jump provided from being in front of home fans was evident through the first period as the Pontiacs out paced the Cats on the shot clock 18-8. Back stopped by the excellent play of Kolby Thornton the visitors trailed by 1 after the opening frame.
Period 2 was a different story. Strengthened by weathering the the opening storm the Bobcats came out with some added intensity for the middle frame. Near instant results were the reward. Off a feed from Matthew Swanson Tanner Fincaryk made space and let go a perfect wrist shot directly under the cross bar 92 seconds in to even the score.
Chances and penalties were traded the rest of the way through but things remained even after 40.
Period 3 started very physical. Both teams tried to establish dominance and gain control over a close contest but it would be the home side that would strike just passed the 6 minute mark. Thornton directed a rebound off a solid shot but the puck dropped flat where the Pontiacs Tamburro was waiting to send the rebound into the goal.
The Border city club wouldn’t lay down and continued the increased intensity to grind out regulation. Rookie Andon Coles tried to be the spark fighting Austin Saint in his first AJHL game.
The Bobcats were energized and continued creating chances and getting close but they wouldn’t be rewarded. The Pontiacs would add the final nail into an empty net with just over a minute left in regulation to finalize a 3-1 loss for the visitors.
All in all coach Dube was focused on what went right for the first match of the season. “For our first regular season game since the end of November, 2020, I thought there were a lot of positives to take away from the effort tonight.”
On the turn around middle period, “Our second period was a big one for us, we realized what we are capable of doing when we are aggressive on the forecheck and get our feet going. We pressured them in areas of the ice to force the turnovers and create offensive opportunity.”
The near game changer and potential highlight of the game was a move by Calgary’s Ethan Aucoin to create a late game chance, “He snapped it right off the cross bar with 3 to go, I think that was the 3rd bar in the third and probably 6th on the night”.
With no rest for the wicked and an anxious Lloydminster fan base the Cats will kick off the home side of the season Saturday night at the Centennial
Civic Centre. After a week of fan give aways and a horrifically long off season of uncertainty the puck will drop at the CCC 7:30 Saturday night. Mask mandates are in effect in the arena. You can also catch the action on Hockey TV with the pregame show at 7:15.