For the third straight game, the exact same script had been written out for the Lloydminster Bobcats heading into the third period. This time, however, they changed the ending.
All tied up after two periods of play, the Bobcats showed they were not going to be denied in a third straight game, scoring two third period goals en-route to a 5-3 road victory over the Whitecourt Wolverines.
In their first two games under new Head Coach and General Manager Nigel Dube, the Cats found themselves tied after two, before giving up two goals, and then having a late charge come up just short. However, on Saturday night at the Scott Safety Centre it was the Bobcat’s turn to score the two goals and then run out the clock for a win.
Tied 3-3 just over five minutes into the third period, Logan Bromhead broke the deadlock to give the Cat’s a 4-3 lead before Tucker Scantlebury scored five minutes later to make it 5-3.
Saturday’s contest was one that saw momentum swing all over the place.
The Bobcat’s came out and played a very strong road period in the first. Outshooting the Wolverines 16-8, Lloydminster scored the lone goal of the frame when Chance Adrian scored his second goal of the season.
Then the game really got crazy in the second period. On a power-play, the Bobcat’s found the back of the net less than a minute into the period when Rylan Nivon slammed home a loose puck to make it 2-0.
However, with a chance to extend the lead to 3-0, Whitecourt goalie made a couple of crucial saves to help swing momentum back in his team’s favour.
After the stops, the Wolverines came back with three straight goals, two of which were on power-plays as the Bobcats ran into penalty trouble.
Then when it appeared the Wolverines would take all momentum into the second intermission, Hunter Lamb found the back of the net as the puck pinballed past Morin with a delayed penalty coming up to Whitecourt. Right after the goal, Rylan Nivon and Easton Haygarth dropped the gloves and had an even tilt.
From that point on, the Bobcats found a way to get control of the third period and keep the history of the last two games from repeating itself.
Both teams received five power-play opportunities with the Cats scoring once and the Wolverines failing to take advantage.
Curtis Meger made 31 saves in goal for the Bobcats as he picked up his second win of the season.
Next up for Lloydminster is a Friday night home date when they Cats play host to the Brooks Bandits.