Surrendering a pair of goals in both the first and second period, the Lloydminster Bobcats were never able to fully recover as they fell 4-2 to the Sherwood Park Crusaders Thursday afternoon.
With an early start time of 12:00pm in Sherwood Park, the Bobcats did not appear to have their legs early on in the contest, as the Crusaders set the tone during the first twenty minutes of play.
Sherwood Park was able to get on the board first when Carter Savoie opened the scoring just past the midway point of the opening frame.
Late in the period, the Cats were able to get back on even terms. With just over a minute remaining in the first period, Ethan Mack scored his first career Bobcat’s goal on a wrist shot from the slot during a 5-on-3 power-play.
Unfortunately for Lloydminster, a blunder in their own end just six seconds later resulted in William Zapernick scoring a short-handed goal to restore the Crusader’s lead heading into the first intermission.
Early in the second frame the Cru extended their lead to 3-1. Coming down the wing, Cameron Aucoin beat Bobcat’s goalie Curits Meger high glove side.
Just over six minutes later, Tucker Scantlebury pulled the Cats back within one. Tucker’s third goal of the season trimmed the deficit to 3-2.
Late in the second period, Sherwood Park once again went up by two goals when a point shot deflected in front and went into the back of the Bobcat’s goal.
Trailing 4-2 after two period, the Cats were not able to generate much in the third, as they were outshot 14-3, ultimately falling 4-2 to the Crusaders.
Sherwood Park outshot Lloydminster 41-21 for the game.
The Bobcats went 1 for 5 on the power-play, while the Crusaders finished 0 for 4 with the man-advantage.
The Cats will return home to the Civic Centre tomorrow night when they host the Bonnyville Pontiacs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30.