Despite having to deal with a broke down bus early Saturday morning and only having 15 skaters, which was quickly reduced to 14, the Lloydminster Bobcats still managed to put together one of their grittiest performances of the season.
Unfortunately, the Cats came up just short, falling 2-1 in overtime to the Camrose Kodiaks.
With the likes of Connor Odelein, Braydon Jenkins and Cole Johnson out due to injury and Mike MacLean serving game two of a five game suspension, and then losing Carson Franklin to injury early in the game, the Bobcats still nearly managed to find a win in Camrose.
After a scoreless first period, Rylan Nivon scored for the second time in as many nights early in the middle frame to give the Bobcats a 1-0 advantage.
The lead almost held up for the remainder of the contest as Bobcats goalie Nick Sanders made multiple key saves for the visitors.
However, with just 3:26 left in the third, the Kodiaks finally got on the board. A point shot from Nicholas Sutter deflected off a Bobcat in front and slid past a screened Sanders to equal the score.
In the overtime frame, both teams had chances but neither could bury the winner until the very end of the frame.
With one second to play in overtime, Kodiaks leading scorer Brock Bremer snapped a shot over Sanders and into the back of the net to secure a Camrose victory.
In the end, the Kodiaks outshot the short-handed Bobcats 44-23.
Both teams finished the game 0 for 4 with the man-advantage.
Next up for the Bobcats will be a home date with the Spruce Grove Saints on Friday for Teddy Bear Toss night!
