Two early second period goals put the Lloydminster Bobcats behind the eight ball, a position they were never quite able to fully recover from Friday night in a 5-3 loss to the Calgary Mustangs.
After playing to a scoreless first period, the Mustangs scored two quick goals in the first 1:51 of the period. Despite the Cats clawing back into the game on a few different occasions, they were never able to string together back-to-back goals to escape the deficit.
In a game that only saw four penalties called, three of which were against the Mustangs, Calgary was able to use five even strength goals to get past the Cats.
After the two goals to start the second period, scored by Joseph Karpyshyn and Daniel Rybarik, the Bobcats used their timeout to settle things down. Which is exactly what they did.
Shortly after Head Coach Dube’s timeout, Logan Bromhead jumped on a loose puck on top of the Mustangs crease and fired it past Ben Howard trimming the lead to one.
However, just over two minutes later, the Mustangs responded when Cayden Shmyr fired a one-timer from the top of the left hand circle past Curtis Meger to make it 3-1.
The Stangs then added to their lead when Rybarik netted his second goal of the contest.
Trailing 4-1, the Cats appeared as if they may be swinging some momentum back in their favour. Crashing towards the Calgary goal, a Bobcat shot squirted underneath Howard, who then spun his legs in an effort to keep from sliding in the net.
It was a very close call, but one that the officials ruled was not a goal.
Trailing 4-1 entering the third period, the Cats continued to push back and got back within two just shy of the midway point.
Getting a pass in the slot, Ethan Mack scored his third goal of the season narrowing the Calgary lead to 4-2.
Again though, the Mustangs would find a response. Driving down the wall, Rybarik sent a long cross-ice pass to the side of the net for Liam Freeborn who tapped it home.
In the final minute, Chase Stephenson scored his second goal in as many games, but that was as close as Lloydminster would get.
The Mustangs outshot the Bobcats 41-30.
Lloydminster went 0 for 3 on the power-play, while the Mustangs finished 0 for 1.
The Cats will head to Canmore on Saturday before visiting Okotoks on Sunday to wrap-up the pre-Christmas schedule.