Bralin Technology Solutions Hockey Hooky Recap
by Shane Tomayer
Coming into Wednesday it can easily be said the Bobcats season is not off to the start imagined, after a strong 23/24 regular season. The Cats are winless in 7 to open the season, having garnered just one point in a shootout loss to the Calgary Canucks back on September 22. That aside, more than a thousand school kids, their teachers and a number of hockey fans were willing to fake a cough and call in sick for a couple hours to take part in Hockey Hooky Day – brought to you by Richardsons Jewelry.
Cheering came early as fans gave an ovation to Lloydminster Steeler Peyton Walker. The young local athlete was diagnosed with Rhabdomysosarcoma cancer late last season and has been putting on a display of strength and resiliency since. Watch for more with the Cats and Walker as the season goes on.
From there kids big and small were treated to a quick pace off the opening face off. Though it was initially dictated by Camrose the home side weathered the early storm and turned things back around. The crowd would erupt on a Nardelli goal at the 8 minute mark but were quickly quieted when the goal was called back by the stripes due to a penalty behind the play. The home side killed the 4 minute double minor but gave up a goal moments later giving the visitors a lead they’d hold on to, all the way to the third.
Just over three minutes into the “final” period Gus El-Tahhan would score his first in Lloydminster (second of the season) to get the Cats onto the board and into the game. 5 minutes later the fans were hushed again when the Kodiaks re-took the lead. El-Tahhan clearly on a mission would answer and even the score once more in the last half of the frame and ultimately send the game to overtime. HIs second of the afternoon saw rookie Jack Fergusson pick up his first AJHL assist.
Overtime saw chances for both sides but 2 minutes into the extra period Kodiaks defenceman Avery Trotter muscled his way to the front of the goal and reached the puck around the outstretched leg of Kaiden Kirkwood to cement the victory and leave the home side with just a single point.
It’s interesting to watch the Bobcats at this stage. You can see there is no quit in the lineup. You can see systematically that things are working. The team is competitive, and quite strong defensively, they’ve only allowed more than 3 goals against one time. Opportunities have been there, finish has not. Talking to anyone around the team – players, coaches and management included there is optimism. The skill is there. The goals will come and when they do there is a feeling they will come in bunches. El-Tahhan may have just got that ball rolling this afternoon – he’s now got three in his last four games.
Bobcats next action will come Friday at the RJ Lalonde in Bonnyville before returning home against those same Pontiacs Saturday night. Puck drop at the CCC is scheduled for 7:00.
