After a lopsided game on Friday night, the Grande Prairie Storm made sure that the Lloydminster Bobcats would have to earn a win on Saturday night.
For exactly 33 minutes, the Bobcats clung to a 2-1 lead over the scrappy Storm, with first period goals coming from Taylor Allan and Nick Quillan on the powerplay. The Storm's lone marker had been notched by Luke Mahura. It wasn't until just over five minutes into the third when the 'Cats were able to add an insurance goal, coming from an unlikely place.
Taylor Lotoski found the puck in the corner of the offensive zone, and spotting linemate Josh Giacomin in front, threw a pass towards the net front. Before it could make it as far as Giacomin, the puck deflected off of Storm defenceman Frank Sullivan and past goaltender Arik Weersink to give the 'Cats a 3-1 lead. The margin would hold for over ten minutes before the 'Cats converted another power play.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIVEPENNY PHOTOS
With 3:35 remaining in the third, leading scorer Kevin Darrar settled into the faceoff dot in the offensive zone and ripped a wrist shot past the glove hand of Weersink to give the 'Cats their third power play goal of the night, and a 4-1 lead. That would be the final goal of the night as the 'Cats held the Storm off over the remainder of the third to clinch their 10th straight victory. For the Storm, their losing streak has now reached 11 games.
Pierce Diamond got the start for the 'Cats tonight, and had a strong outing as he kicked aside 20 of 21 shots on goal to earn his seventh win this season. Weersink made 36 saves in the loss for the Storm.
After a lopsided game on Friday night, the Grande Prairie Storm made sure that the Lloydminster Bobcats would have to earn a win on Saturday night.
For exactly 33 minutes, the Bobcats clung to a 2-1 lead over the scrappy Storm, with first period goals coming from Taylor Allan and Nick Quillan on the powerplay. The Storm's lone marker had been notched by Luke Mahura. It wasn't until just over five minutes into the third when the 'Cats were able to add an insurance goal, coming from an unlikely place.
Taylor Lotoski found the puck in the corner of the offensive zone, and spotting linemate Josh Giacomin in front, threw a pass towards the net front. Before it could make it as far as Giacomin, the puck deflected off of Storm defenceman Frank Sullivan and past goaltender Arik Weersink to give the 'Cats a 3-1 lead. The margin would hold for over ten minutes before the 'Cats converted another power play.
With 3:35 remaining in the third, leading scorer Kevin Darrar settled into the faceoff dot in the offensive zone and ripped a wrist shot past the glove hand of Weersink to give the 'Cats their third power play goal of the night, and a 4-1 lead. That would be the final goal of the night as the 'Cats held the Storm off over the remainder of the third to clinch their 10th straight victory. For the Storm, their losing streak has now reached 11 games.
Pierce Diamond got the start for the 'Cats tonight, and had a strong outing as he kicked aside 20 of 21 shots on goal to earn his seventh win this season. Weersink made 36 saves in the loss for the Storm.
The 'Cats powerplay came to life tonight after going one-for-six on Friday, striking three times in eight opportunities. For the Storm, the power play unit failed to convert on four opportunities.
Frustrations showed as the game wore on for the Storm, as the teams combined for 114 minutes in penalties over the course of the game, and 78 in the final period.
Combined with Spruce Grove's second straight loss tonight, the 'Cats have now moved two points ahead of the Saints with one game in hand for first overall in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Next action for Lloydminster comes on Wednesday when they travel to Drumheller to take on the Dragons at 7:00 PM.