Something will have to give tonight when two of the AJHL’s hottest teams collide at the Centennial Civic Centre. The Lloydminster Bobcats (21-27-2) have won five straight games and will look to make that six but they’ll be in tough against the Brooks Bandits (37-11-1), who have won ten in a row. With just ten games remaining on the schedule, the Bobcats are just three points away from clinching a playoff berth, and sit just two points back of the Sherwood Park Crusaders for 5th in the North Division. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre. Tonight, will be the second and final meeting this season between the two teams. Tonight’s contest can be heard starting at 7:15 with Lloydminster Bobcats Hockey on Real Country 95.9.
Heading In: Bobcats Storm Past Thunder in Drayton Valley
The Lloydminster Bobcats had no issues picking up their fifth straight win Wednesday night in Drayton Valley. The Cats used six different goal scorers en-route to a 7-1 victory over the hometown Thunder. Zach Kaiser scored twice for Lloydminster, while Shawn Harke, Tucker Scantlebury, Ryan Leyen, Chase Stephenson and Matthew Mohrbutter each scored once. Pierce Diamond made 30 saves in net to record his 49th career victory. With the win, the Bobcats are now just three points away from clinching one of the seven North Division playoff spots.
Head to Head
The Lloydminster Bobcats and Brooks Bandits have only met once so far this season with that contest taking place in Brooks on October 25th. After a scoreless first period, the Bandits opened to flood gates scoring seven straight goals to blank the Cats 7-0. Going back to last season, the Bandits have won the last three contests between these two teams all by the same 7-0 score. Lloydminster’s last regular season win against Brooks came on February 27th, 2016 when the Cats came away with a 5-2 victory at the Civic.
The Chase for Six Straight Wins
Already having won five straight games, which marks the Bobcats longest win streak of the season, they now try to extend that streak to six wins tonight. If that were to happen, it would be Lloydminster first six game win streak since the 2015/2016 season. The RBC Cup team surpassed six straight win twice the season, beginning the year 7-0, before rattling off eleven straight wins between October 6th and November 4th, 2015. This year’s Bobcats have a ways to go yet to match that eleven game streak, but they would love nothing more than to secure number six tonight.
Upcoming Schedule
Whitecourt @ Bobcats – Saturday February 10, 7:30 p.m. – Centennial Civic Centre
Bobcats @ Whitecourt – Friday February 16, 7:30 p.m. – Scott Safety Centre
Bobcats @ Spruce Grove – Saturday February 17, 7:00 p.m. – Grant Fuhr Arena