The playoffs are finally here! The post-season gets underway tonight for your Lloydminster Bobcats (0-0-0) as they head to Whitecourt for Game #1 of their best of five series against the Wolverines (0-0-0). These two teams will be very familiar with each other having played six times since December 29th. Tonight’s contest can be heard starting at 7:15 with Lloydminster Bobcats Playoff Hockey on Real Country 95.9.
Heading In: Bobcats Split With GP to End Regular Season
A weekend split in Grand Prairie put an end to the Bobcats 2017-18 Regular Season schedule. Needing two points to secure 6th place in the AJHL’s North Division, the Cats took care of that Saturday evening with a 4-3 victory. However, on Sunday afternoon, it was Grand Prairie picking up a ‘W’ rolling to a 5-1 win over Lloydminster. Jacob Tibbatts had the game-winning goal for the Cats on Saturday, while Kobe Walker put home his 30th goal of the season in Sunday’s defeat.
Head to Head
It has been all about home-ice advantage in the season series between the Lloydminster Bobcats and Whitecourt Wolverines. The two teams split their six games this season with each team winning all three times in their home barn. That’s a trend the Bobcats will need to stop if they want to have any chance of moving on to Round Two, as the Wolverines would host three of the five games in the series. In their most recent meeting, the Wolverines beats the Bobcats 3-1 in Whitecourt on February 16th.
Back to the Dance
After missing out on the post-season last year, the Lloydminster Bobcats find themselves back in the dance this season. The Bobcats picked up eight more wins this year than they had last season, leading to a 16-point improvement. From 33 points last year, the Cats got back into the playoffs finishing 6th in the North with 49 points. A big reason for the success, was the play of Kobe Walker and Zach Kaiser. Walker put together a 67 point season, while Kaiser posted 58 with both of them playing all 60 games this season. They’ll look to stay hot against Whitecourt in search of an opening round upset.
Upcoming Schedule
Bobcats @ Whitecourt – Friday March 9, 7:30 p.m. – Playoffs Game #2 – Scott Safety Centre
Whitecourt @ Bobcats – Sunday March 11, 7:30 p.m. – Playoffs Game #3 – Centennial Civic Centre
Whitecourt @ Bobcats – Monday March 12, 7:30 p.m. – Playoffs Game #4 – Centennial Civic Centre **If Necessary**