Looking to match their season long win streak of four straight games, the Lloydminster Bobcats (19-27-2) will head to Bonnyville for a meeting with the rival Pontiacs (16-26-7) Saturday night at the RJ Lalonde Arena. It will mark the final time this season that the two team’s will meet, and there first time battling each other since November 7th. Tonight’s contest can be heard starting at 7:15 with Lloydminster Bobcats Hockey on Real Country 95.9.
Heading In: Kaiser and Brkin Lead Bobcats Past MOB
Exactly one week ago, the Lloydminster Bobcats played host to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, and for the second time this season, the Cats were able to get the better of the MOB. A pair of goals from Zach Kaiser and 33 saves from Bailey Brkin proved to be just enough in a 3-1 Cats victory. Braydon Jenkins potted the game-winning goal on the power-play with 10:56 left in the third period, while Kaiser had the first and final goal in Lloydminster’s win. With the victory, the Bobcats jumped Bonnyville by a point for 6th in the AJHL’s North Division. It’s a spot the Cats continue to hold heading into tonight’s match-up.
Head to Head
The season series between Lloydminster and Bonnyville started off right for the Cats, but since then it has been all Yaks. The Bobcats downed the Pontiacs 4-2 in their home opener, but have last their last four games to Bonnyville by a combined score of 24-5. However, since their most recent meeting, the Yaks have decided to build for the future, moving forwards P.J. Marrocco and Derek Brown, who were terrorizing Lloydminster. In their five games against Lloydminster this season, Marrocco and Brown both had six goals and seven assists. Last season, the Bobcats dropped their first two meetings in Bonnyville before winning the third. They’ll hope the same pattern hold true tonight.
Kaiser, Walker Begin 2018 With a Bang
What a first month of 2018 it was for Bobcat’s forwards Zach Kaiser and Kobe Walker. The line-mates each posted 16 points in their ten January games. Kaiser finished the month with ten goals and six assists, while Kobe had five goals and eleven helpers. Both came up with crucial goals as well. Kaiser recorded two game-tying goals, two go-ahead goals and four insurance goals, and Kobe provided a pair of game-winning goals. Along with Tucker Scantlebury, the Bobcat’s top line combined for 41 points in January.
Upcoming Schedule
Bobcats @ Drayton Valley – Wednesday February 7, 7:30 p.m. – Drayton Valley Omniplex
Brooks @ Bobcats – Friday February 9, 7:30 p.m. – Centennial Civic Centre
Whitecourt @ Bobcats – Saturday February 10, 7:30 p.m. – Centennial Civic Centre