The Lloydminster Bobcats rose to the occasion tonight to pick up a 3-2 regulation victory over the divisional rival Grande Prairie Storm at the Civic Centre tonight.
The Bobcats received goals from Brady Barclay, Austin Ehret, and Matthew Jones (originally credited to Wilson Northey), while Austin McGrath made 32 saves on 34 shots for his fifth victory of the season.
It was the Bobcats getting on the board first, with Brady Barclay taking a drop pass from Zach Kaiser into Storm territory, and ripping a wrist shot past the outstretched blocker of goaltender Arik Weersink for his seventh goal of the season. Barclay is now tied with Kobe Walker and Zach Webb for the team lead in goals this season. The 1-0 lead lasted into the first intermission.
. @bobcatsreplay ?? goal! @BBarclay98 from Zach Kaiser 12:10 of the first 1-0 Cats – @FarmLinkCanada #defendtheden pic.twitter.com/a7K1FJi8yR
— Bobcats Replay (@bobcatsreplay) November 30, 2016
After a sluggish first period, the Storm came to life in the second and brought the game back to even when Michael Clarke popped a rebound over the shoulder and in just shy of the five minute mark of the middle frame. The Storm continued to push, but couldn't find the lead before the Bobcats got back in control.
10:19 into the period, Austin Ehret sent a shot in from the blueline through a crowd, which found a way past Weersink to put the Cats ahead 2-1. Zach Webb and Chasetan Braid picked up assists on the play, continuing their offensive production of late.
. @LloydBobcats goal! ?? @AustinEhret20 from @zach_webb8 & @Chasetanbraid 2-1 Cats 10:19 of the second. @FarmLinkCanada pic.twitter.com/IGiGYAYAmd
— Bobcats Replay (@bobcatsreplay) November 30, 2016
Less than two minutes later, the Cats struck once again as Zach Sherburne sent a shot in from the point, creating a loose puck scramble in front. Wilson Northey took a crack at it before Matthew Jones found the puck at the side of the net and put it away to put his team ahead 3-1. The goal was Jones' third of the season, and would ultimately stand as the game winner.
. @LloydBobcats goal! ?? Matthew Jones From Benson 11:49 of the 2nd 3-1 Cats @FarmLinkCanada pic.twitter.com/T8ZlBm1Yvl
— Bobcats Replay (@bobcatsreplay) November 30, 2016
Heading into the third period up 3-1, the Cats had yet to see the best that the Storm could offer as Grande Prairie applied pressure all period long, but they only managed one goal courtesy of Evan Rochowiak, with Austin McGrath turning aside 10 shots in the third and 32 overall.
The Cats went 0 for 4 on the power play while Grande Prairie was 0 for 2, extending their power play drought to 27 opportunites over 11 games.
Lloydminster will now host the Brooks Bandits on Saturday night at the Civic Centre before heading to Drumheller on Sunday for the first of eight straight road games to close out 2016.
