For the first time in nearly a full calendar year, the Lloydminster Bobcats (20-27-2) have won two straight road games, and tonight they will look to make it three in a row when they visit the Drayton Valley Thunder (12-34-3). The Bobcats picked up the first of those two road wins in the Drayton Valley Omniplex a little over a week and a half ago. Now the Cats will look to move 17 points clear of the Thunder with a win and inch that much closer to a playoff berth. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. at the Drayton Valley Omniplex. Tonight, will be the sixth 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 Use Simple Formula For Road Win in Bonnyville
Battling the rival Bonnyville Pontiacs Saturday night at the RJ Lalonde Arena, the Bobcats used a gritty road performance to come away with a 3-1 win. A short-handed goal from Rylan Nivon, a power-play marker from Daniel Hilsendager, an empty-netter from Tucker Scantlebury and 35 saves from Bailey Brkin led the Cats to their second straight road victory. Lloydminster was outshot 36-19 by the Yaks in the contest, but did a good job to keep most of Bonnyville’s opportunities to the outside. The win extended the Bobcats streak to four straight victories, while also snapping Bonnyville’s four game winning streak against Lloydminster.
Head to Head
So far this season, the Bobcats have won four of their five meetings with the Thunder, with one of those coming in overtime. The first three games of the series were all played at the Civic with the Cats rolling 5-0, 4-2, and 3-2 (OT). Drayton Valley picked up their lone win of the series on January 10th, 4-0. In their most recent outing though, the Cats got the better of the Thunder 4-1. A regulation win tonight would pull the Bobcats within three points of clinching a playoff spot
Playoff Positioning
Thanks to four straight wins, and five straight losses out of the Sherwood Park Crusaders, all of a sudden, fifth place is within sights for the Lloydminster Bobcats. A win on Wednesday would put the Cats just two points back of the Cru with both teams having ten games remaining, two of those are against each other. As it sit’s right now, the Pontiacs are three points back of Lloydminster, and Grand Prairie is seven points ahead of the Cats. Although seven points is a lot of ground to make up late in the season, Lloydminster still has three games left against the Storm. As the regular season winds down, the Bobcats could mathematically finish anywhere between 4th and 8th in the North. Only time will tell how everything shakes out in what has been a crazy North Division.
Upcoming Schedule
Brooks @ Bobcats – Friday February 9, 7:30 p.m. – Centennial Civic Centre
Whitecourt @ Bobcats – Saturday February 10, 7:30 p.m. – Centennial Civic Centre
Bobcats @ Whitecourt – Friday February 16, 7:30 p.m. – Scott Safety Centre