Despite coming up just short in a 2-1 loss Wednesday night against the Grande Prairie Storm, the overall effort from the Lloydminster Bobcats was enough to get a standing ovation from the Lloydminster faithful as the final buzzer sounded just moments after the Cats nearly tied the game. Now Lloydminster (5-16-1) will look to build off that strong play Friday night when they visit the Drayton Valley Thunder (8-14-1). The game will serve as another opportunity for the Cats to build in the right direction, while also having a chance to pull within four points of the Thunder for the final playoff spot in the North. All of the action can be heard live on Real Country 95.9 beginning at 7:15.
Heading In: Bobcats Show Promise in Narrow Loss to Storm
A late comeback came up just inches short Wednesday night, as the Lloydminster Bobcats fell 2-1 to the Grande Prairie Storm at the Centennial Civic Centre. Under the direction of new Head Coach and General Manager, Nigel Dube, who was making his Cat’s Head Coaching debut, the Bobcat’s showed plenty of signs of promise and reasons for optimism. “It’s been a whirlwind for almost a week now and their effort tonight, and care factor shows,” Dube said. “As a coach you look at that after one game and see that there are pieces there to work with and to build off.” In a game that didn’t see a goal for the first 53 minutes of the contest, they came fast and furious towards the end. Grande Prairie struck twice quickly, scoring goals just thirteen seconds apart. However, after a Lloydminster timeout, the Cats began to swing momentum in their favour once again. On a late power-play, and with goalie Cale Elder pulled for the extra attacker, Ty Mosimann found a loose puck at the side of the goal and put home his first career AJHL goal to pull the Bobcats within one and just over a minute to play.
Head to Head
To this point in the season, the Lloydminster Bobcats have managed to get the better of the Drayton Valley Thunder. Although trailing the Thunder by six points for the final playoff spot in the Viterra North Division, that Cats have come away victorious in both of their meetings with Drayton Valley this season. In those two games, the scores finished 3-2 and 5-2. The Bobcats and Thunder will meet another three times before the end of the regular season following Friday night’s contest.
Meger Eager to Make His Return
Out of the line-up since October 19th, Bobcat’s 20-year old goalie Curtis Meger is expected to be back in the crease on Friday. Dealing with an upper-body injury, the Regina product was forced to sit out the last 10 games, although he did dress as the back-up Wednesday night against Grande Prairie. Coming via the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, Meger has shown plenty of signs to become a strong number one goalie the rest of the way for Lloydminster.
Upcoming Schedule
Bobcats @ Whitecourt – Saturday November 17, 7:30 p.m. – Scott Safety Centre
Brooks @ Bobcats – Friday November 23, 7:30 p.m. – Centennial Civic Centre
Bonnyville @ Bobcats – Saturday November 24, 7:30 p.m. – Centennial Civic Centre