Bralin Technology Solutions Weekend Recap
By Shane Tomayer
With decorations re-boxed and stashed under the stairs and mercury dropping well below the ‘play outside’ line, a return to the rink to kick off the second half of the 24/25 season sounded perfect. The Bobcats were not afforded the opportunity to ease into 2025. Coming out of the break the AJHL North 3rd place Bobcats would face the 2nd place Storm and 1st overall Wolverines on Friday and Saturday respectively.
The Bobcats have played the Storm well this season splitting the season series at one game a piece. Going into the break the two teams were trending in opposite directions. Lloydminster having won 7 of their last 10, Grande Prairie having dropped 4 straight.
After the opening period the Cats lead 2-1, which was evened up by the end of the second. In the third the two teams would trade goals ending with GP having an empty net and capitalizing with just 27 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
An extra period solved nothing with both goaltenders staying strong through the period and driving the game to a shootout. This is where things got odd. While the score may not indicate it the four periods were a goaltending battle. In the Storm net Nicolas Jones was electric stopping 27 of 31 with some stellar stops. At the other end Kaiden Kirkwood showed no signs of holiday rust. He stopped 39 of 43 chances and the only goals against came on a 3rd, 4th or 5th opportunity with acrobatics well on display.
The shootout started with the first 8 shooters (both sides) scoring. Then goaltending re-engaged with 7 straight stops before Jaxan Hopko was called to the shootout, and he made no mistake beating Jones with a shot from just below the hash marks, flying past the blocker side and finding twine. This was the second time this season that Hopko had a game winning shootout goal against the Storm, his third shootout goal of the season.
Saturdays competition would not get easier. The Wolverines sit atop the AJHL standings and have played the Bobcats well in 4 contests allowing the Cats just a single point in a shootout loss back on December 7. Stage set for one of the more important games of the season. Very clear that to get through the AJHL North Division the Cats will need to have success against the Wolverines.
The first period ended very even statistically but with the Wolverines holding the advantage and a 1-0 lead. But the second period would dictate the game. The home side came out showing more of the spark displayed on Friday night. Gus El-Tahhan lead the charge scoring just 35 seconds into the middle frame. That was compounded 25 seconds later when a great individual effort by Caiden Steinke coming from behind the goal and scoring on the backhand to give the Cats a lead they would not surrender. Wyatt Yule another added another 7:27 later for insurance. The insurance proved necessary when the Wolverines scored again late in the frame.
Kirkwood was sharp again Saturday. He stopped all19 shots faced in the third period and 36 in total to continue adding to an impressive season so far.
This win was certainly a confidence boost to the border city club assuring them they have what it takes to come out on top of the league leading Wolverines. They’ll continue their push for the playoffs January 11 when they’ll face the top team in the South – the Canmore Eagles, and a matinee on the 12th versus the Drayton Valley Thunder.
While planning your next trip to the Civic make sure you contact the Bobcats office for tickets to the upcoming Wild Wild West Ladies night on February 7th. Tables and individual tickets are available.
