Bralin Technology Solutions Weekend Recap
By Shane Tomayer
The final weekend of the regular season can often be one of formality. That was not the case this past weekend across the AJHL as every game had impact on playoff and play-in seeding not to mention there was still a scoring race to be determined. The Bobcats were at the forefront of all of it. Going into Friday evening they sat tied for second in the league standings with Caden Cabana in the hunt for the league lead in scoring. The Cats weekend would see two teams at opposite ends of the standings. Friday would be the Thunder fighting with Fort McMurray between 9th and 10th, and then Saturday against the Wolverines who locked up top spot in the league the weekend prior. While both games for the Bobcats were critical if they were to cement second place in the AJHL.
Friday evening with a slightly depleted line up due to injury and illness had the Cat’s best players, continuing trends. Ben Aucoin who has been one of the top forwards in the league over the last couple months (17 points in his last 10 games prior to puck drop) continued on with what has become expected of him. He added 2 goals and an assist to what had already been an impressive 2024. Blake Setter added another 2 assists and Jack Solomon stopped 20/22 in a 5-2 victory, the Bobcats 32nd of the season.
Saturday night hockey fans from across the province braved a winter storm to pack the Civic with a season high 1316 fans. Rightfully so. A single point meant the Bobcats could lock up 2nd in the standings. However nothing would have been expected to come easy. The Cats were still missing key players due to injury and illness. While the Bobcats had split the season series with Whitecourt at 2 wins a piece the Cats had required overtime for their two victories, and the Wolverines had won the last two match ups – both in Lloydminster. Once more to win at this time of the season your best players need to be just that.
Mittoo and Steinkey both tallied twice to end their seasons with 13 and 16 respectively – career highs for both. Not to be outdone Aucoin and LaRose potted a goal and an assist each with Olson and Juck each adding two assists from the back end.
Highliting the evenings 6-3 victory however was midway through the third period when it became official that with 2 assists Saturday night Bobcats captain Caden Caban had secured the scoring race in the AJHL, wrapping the regular season with 27 goals and 42 assists. This marked the highest single season total in the Bobcats era, and the first time a player in Lloydminster black and orange would win the league scoring title. Looking back to January 2023 when he was acquired in a three way trade (sending Freddie Halyk to Camrose) – this may stand out as Nigel Dubes single best transaction to date. On the achievement by his star forward head coach Brad Rihela commented, “A very deserved honour for Cabby. I feel fortunate to have him as captain here with the Bobcats and look forward to seeing what he can do in the playoffs”.
Regarding the Saturday night win he continued, “The game against Whitecourt might have been the most complete game we have played all year in terms of habits and connectedness”.
Not all about individual success the Bobcats second place finish matches their best in the Bobcat era. Their 33 wins on the season are bested in that timeline by only the 2015/16 season when they spent much of it nationally ranked and came away with the W 44 times. Looking back at the season Rihela noted, “Jeff and I are very proud of the way our group has stuck together this year. Especially the way we played this past weekend”.
With the play-in series’ kicking off on Thursday night there is still plenty to be determined across the league with only the 4/5 first round match up being set. The bottom six in the standings will play a best of 5 series to determine the bottom three seeds in the playoffs. A playoff that will see the Bobcats on home ice starting March 15th. Playoff ticket packages are available now at the Bobcat office.
