Bralin Technology Recap
By Shane Tomayer
Plenty of excitement around the Border City leading up to September 19. The Bobcats were slated to kick off the 2025/26 AJHL regular season, but more importantly they were going to welcome fans into their new den for it’s first ever hosting of meaningful Jr A hockey.
25 months after shovels pierced the dirt on Lloydminsters far East side the sliding doors would part and 1827 hockey minded individuals clamoured in to get their first taste of the Cenovus Energy Hub.
The first taste was delicious. While the Oil Barons’ scored first and last it was the Bobcats who scored most. Trennen Redlick will stand in history as the man who scored first at the Hub. A shot that Cats netminder Sam Madgett got most of but it managed to trickle through under his pads.
Three minutes later new Bobcat Esteban Cinq-Mars would score his first as a Bobcat, first in the AJHL and first goal by a Bobcat at the new arena. The defenceman showed ability at both ends. He first showed offense and then (along) with his 5 defensive counterparts they locked down the zone and only allowed 4 shots through the opening 20 minutes.
Second period was more of the same. Cats were stingy on defense but they scored twice (HIkida & Cinq-Mars) more to open their lead to 3-1.
The final frame the Cats just needed to remain consistent. Be smart, be disciplined and the win was there to be had. They did those things well but the Oil Barons would make their presence known. The visitors pushed and pushed hard to work for a momentum shift. They played physical and created more chances for themselves. It wouldn’t be enough. A defensive breakdown resulted in Jagger John of the MOB getting alone in the final minute and making it a 2 goal deficit for the visitors, and a 4-2 final. The Cats outshot their opponents 46-20 as well.
Perfection. After night one the Bobcats were presented the opportunity to perhaps never lose a hockey game at the Hub. Imagine a dream world where the Bobcats shiny new facility would never experience loss… Well a dream is all it would be. It was as though the Bobcats or Oil Barons had gone through some sort of cinematic wishing well, shooting star or fairy godmother, freaky friday scenario. Both rosters were very similar on night 2 but the two teams could not have been much more different. The Cats were flat and the Oil Barons had jump. The home side seemed almost tentative after being tenacious Friday, and the Oil Barons who looked out classed and unsure Friday looked like a far more seasoned squad on night 2.
Fort McMurray came out quick and scored twice in just over 3 minutes. They added two more in the second period while the Bobcats were unable to register a goal – that counted.
Leaders for the Cats tried to light the fuse all game long. From the opening face off Jaxan Hopko was trying to drag his team into the fight, showing clearly why the ‘A’ was stitched onto his left chest late this week. He laid a number of checks through the game, had a great shot get passed Oil Barons goaltender Liam Cunningham late in period two (see “that counted”) and then when neither of those things would get things going he dropped the gloves in the first minute of the third to mark another Cenovus Energy Center Hub first.
But it wasn’t enough. For the third straight week of contests (going back into preseason) the Bobcats played very well on Friday before faltering on Saturday. Back to back games have not been the teams strong suit thus far this season. Eric Labrosse commented on it post-game, “That’s what we’ve got to figure out. Why is it we’re stellar the first game of the weekend and then we come out flat for the second game? Is it over confidence, or lack of energy? There’s obviously a trend there that we’ve got to figure out.”
With that he said the focus this week during practice will be working on consistency. “We can’t just have flashes of good and then disappear. We have to be consistent for 60 minutes three games in a row”.
Bobcats will leave Friday for three games in the AJHL south division facing the Dragons, Canucks and Eagles for three games in 2 1/2 days.
Next home action for the Bobcats is lined up for October 4th when they’ll host the Olds Grizzlies on a single game weekend. So long as all things happen in the construction world as they should, Bobcat fans should be able to enjoy a rink burger and a malted beverage from their new partners at 4th Meridian Brewing during the contest. Puck drop as always scheduled for 7:00.
