A number of mistakes came back to haunt the Lloydminster Bobcats as the Whitecourt Wolverines picked up a 5-4 victory on Friday night at the Civic Centre.
After the Bobcats had battled back from a two goal deficit to draw even early in the second, the Wolverines were able to strike back as Cory Santoro took advantage of some sloppy play in the Lloydminster zone, knocking it past Alex Leclerc to make it 3-2.
PHOTO: Longtime Lloydminster volunteers Marcel Courchesne and Wade Enger were recognized by the Bobcats and the Lloydminster Kinsmen for their years of service.
Minutes later, the Bobcats struck back as Austin O'Rourke forced a turnover with some physical play down low before walking off the boards and snapping a shot past Wolverines goal tender Garrett Mason to bring the game back to even.
Late in the second, another defensive miscue put the Wolverines back on top as an errant pass wound up on the tape of Wolverine Stephen Wack in front of Leclerc, who took advantage of the turnover to make it 4-3 heading into the third.
With the next goal looming large, Wolverines forward Justin Young deflected a rebound shot by Joseph Nardi, getting it past Leclerc for a power play marker at the 11:11 mark of the third period to make it a two-goal game.
The Bobcats continued to push back, as Ryan Chynoweth was able to strike on the man advantage to cut the lead to one, but continued pressure by the Cats over the final minutes went unrewarded as the Wolverines hung on for a 5-4 victory.
Each side was able to register one power play goal, with Whitecourt going one for eight on the man advantage, and the Bobcats one for nine. Shots on goal favoured the Cats 29-26 at the final buzzer.
The Wolverines were able to jump ahead to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Eric Krienke and Justin Young, but Zac Giroux got the Cats on the board late in the first before Troy Van Tetering tied it early in the second by knocking a puck out of the air and past Mason.
The two teams will be back in action again tomorrow night at the Civic Centre at 7:30.
Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items again tomorrow night to help fill the Columbine Coach Lines bus for the Lloydminster food bank.
Prior to puck drop, longtime volunteers Marcel Courchesne and Wade Enger were recognized by the Bobcats and the Lloydminster Kinsmen for their years of service as volunteers.