Following a tough home and home series with the defending AJHL champion, Spruce Grove Saints to start the season, the Lloydminster Bobcats (0-2-0) will go for their first win of the season Friday night when they host the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (2-0-0). The MOB meanwhile, enter the contest trending in the other direction, following to straight wins over the Grand Prairie Storm last weekend. Tonight’s game is the first of two that these two teams will play in as many days, both taking place at the Civic. All of the action can be heard starting at 7:15 with Lloydminster Bobcats Hockey on Real Country 95.9.
Heading In: Cats Penalty Kill Off to a Special Start
Despite suffering two straight losses to begin the 2018/19 regular season, the Bobcats penalty kill as certainly not been to blame. In two games against the Spruce Grove Saints (who had the most potent power-play in the league last year), the Bobcats killed off all ten power-play opportunities the Saints had. Last season Lloydminster found themselves near the bottom of the league in penalty killing, but now, through two games, find themselves at the top. With that said, the Cats will look to stay out of the box and play five-on-five rather than keep relying on what has been an early season bright spot for Lloydminster.
Head to Head
These two Viterra North Division foes met six times last season, playing each other quite tightly. The Oil Barons won the season series winning four of the six games, including all three played at the Casman Centre. Following their first two meetings of the season this weekend, the Bobcats will travel to Fort McMurray October 19th and 20th for meeting number three and four.
Warkentine Paying Early Dividends For Border City
Acquired during the summer, ’97-born forward Drew Warkentine has been a welcome addition to the Cats. So far through just two games, Warkentine has opened the scoring in each contest. The Bobcats received Warkentine from the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL for defenceman Andrew Liwiski (now in Whitecourt), forward Jacob Tibbatts and Future Considerations. Warkentine is expected to be a major force throughout the season up front for the Cats.
Upcoming Schedule
Fort McMurray @ Bobcats – Saturday September 22, 7:30 p.m. – Centennial Civic Centre
Bobcats @ Drayton Valley – Tuesday September 25, 7:30 p.m. – Drayton Valley Omniplex
Calgary Mustangs @ Bobcats (SHOWCASE) – Friday September 28, 1:00 p.m. – Max McLean Arena (Camrose)