North Division Leading Pontiacs Skate Past Bobcats

Stung by a four straight goals, the Lloydminster Bobcats were unable to get the better of the Bonnyville Pontiacs Saturday night at the Civic Centre.

The Pontiacs completed the three-game road sweep of the Cats with a 4-1 win.

Following a scoreless first period, which saw Lloydminster go toe-to-toe with the Viterra North Division leading Pontiacs, out-shooting them 15-14, the Pontiacs got things rolling in the second frame thanks to Lucas Thorne.

The second-year Pontiac out of Dunnville, Ontario scored back-to-back goals just five minutes apart to give Bonnyville a 2-0 advantage after two periods of play.

In the third, Bonnyville continued to pressure the Bobcats and ultimately were awarded two more goals for their efforts.

Trey Thomas and Jaden York both scored in the first half of the period extending the Bonnyville lead to 4-0.

Despite the outcoming looking bleak for Lloydminster, the Cats did not go quietly into the night.

With just under seven minutes to go in the game, and the Bobcat’s short-handed, Rylan Nivon set up a Mason Waite one-timer in the slot to pull the Cats within three.

For Waite, the goal was his third so far in his rookie season. Hunter Lamb also drew an assist on the play.

However, that was as close as the Cats would get before the final buzzer sounded.

The Pontiacs managed to direct 45 shots at Bobcat’s goalie Curtis Meger who made 41 saves. Meanwhile, Easton Hesse stopped 34 of the Cat’s 35 shots for the win.

On the power-play, Lloydminster finished 0 for 7, with Bonnyville going 0 for 4.

Next up the Bobcats will travel to Bonnyville on Wednesday to take on the same Pontiacs squad.