Bralin Technology Solutions Recap

By Shane Tomayer

Coming to the weekend, January had been the second least favourite month so far this season.  The Bobcats had lost three straight to Canmore, Drayton Valley and Camrose – losing three straight has been foreign to the Cats, aside from the start of the season.  Reasoning could be coming out of the Christmas break or changes at the deadline, regardless play on ice had not been to the standards established October through December.  So to say there was some angst at the Civic Centre Friday night would be fair as the Bobcats set for a home and home against their oldest rivals, the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
Just shy of the 5 minute mark a sneaky Caiden Steinke capitalized on an overly casual Bonnyville defender, and made his way to the front of the goal uncontested for his 5th of the season, and  his second while shorthanded.  He added a second goal in the middle frame again catching defenders off guard.  The second period ended both with the Cats up 4-2 and a thunderous Kade Fendelet check (in the Pontiac zone) with fractions of a second left on the clock – which set the tone for the 3rd period.
The third was as dominant a period as the Bobcats have played in some time.  They were relentless in all three zones.  They won the period 3-0, while giving nothing in return.  The Pontiacs were not without effort but effort alone would not be enough for them to find answers over a hungry Bobcat squad.  Final on Friday night was a decisive 7-2 win.
Saturday night would be a rink swap as the Cats travelled to the Lakeland region to visit the ever difficult RJ Lalonde arena hungry for their second win of the weekend.  This game saw the Bobcats offense score in waves.  It started with Lucas Magowan 2 minutes in and then Kaiden Wiltsie compounding under a minute later.  In the second with the score evened, Mittoo, Moore and El-Tahhan all scored within 3 minutes to regain, insure and build a lead.
El-Tahhan would add his second of the night and fourth of the weekend in closing out the third period and cementing a 7-4 victory.
Multiple Bobcats players came away with strong numbers on the weekend.  13 players total picked up points on the weekend lead by Gus El-Tahhan and his 4 goals and 5 points.  Not far behind were Steinke and Nardelli each with 2 goals & 4 points.  While Luke Fritz – who’s maybe more regarded for his edge and quirky smile coming out of scrums-  also added 3 assists on the weekend.  His second three assist weekend in January.
Both games saw (the expected) stellar play of Kaiden Kirkwood, well regarded across the league as one of the most dependable backstops.  He made 59 saves on the weekend and as usual gave the Bobcats every opportunity to come away with wins.
The Bobcats will spend the near future on the road.  Their next 6 will be on unfriendly ice including a 4 games in 5 night stint between February 8th and 12th, before returning home to the CCC on February 15 against the Camrose Kodiaks.  You can catch all their action on the road on Flo Hockey.