The Bobcats were unable to get on the score sheet tonight as they go down 4-0 to the Wolverines in Whitecourt.
They were looking to extend their winning streak to four games as they continued their road trip in Whitecourt, who the Bobcats have had great success against this season going 3-0 in three previous meetings. Coming into the game the Bobcats were sitting at a record of 22-19-4 on the season good for 48 points and possession of third place in the North Division standings. Meanwhile the Whitecourt Wolverines have been chasing the ‘Cats all season long for that position, but sitting 19-23-2 on the season, fifth place in the North Division. Last night the Bobcats prevailed in Grande Prairie 5-3, and were looking to continue their winning ways, Whitecourt’s last game was in Lloydminster on Saturday where they lost 5-3 to the Bobcats.
Whitecourt started the scoring two minutes in, Trace Elson would give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead then just eight seconds later Colten Mayor would add another to make it 2-0 Whitecourt. Bobcats would settle down, leading on the shot count 7-5, but down 2-0 after 20 minutes.
The Wolverines would add two more goals in the second period. Brandon Switzer put one in 6 minutes into the period, then with the Bobcats down 2 men, Whitecourt capitalized on the 5 on 3 power-play with a goal from Gianni Mangone to take a 4-0 lead. After 40 minutes, Bobcats down by four, shots were 5-5 in the period. Bobcats’ Bryce Woodward was given a game misconduct for a hit from behind.
Bobcats managed to nearly double their shots from the entire game in the third period but were unable to find the back of the net as the Whitecourt Wolverines defeated the Bobcats 4-0. Total shots in the game were 22-16 in favour of the ‘Cats. Devin Green made 13 stops on 17 shots, while Kyler Wilkinson dropped the gloves late with Trace Elson. Bobcats move to 22-20-4 on the year, remain in third in the North Division.
Going down two goals, two minutes into the game proved to be costly according to assistant coach Kyle Tapp, “Not the ideal start tonight getting down 2 that early in the game, the Wolverines were definitely ready to mix it up tonight. The boys fought to get back into it and at times we were the better team. We have to give credit to the Wolverines tonight they executed an effective game plan got under our skin and off our complete team game. Our power-play could have bailed us out tonight but going 0 for 8 didn’t help us tonight.”
Next up the Bobcats return home after the game but will visit Sherwood Park on Friday night when they’ll take on the Crusaders at 7:00 PM at the Sherwood Park Arena. Then the two teams will do again the next day at the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada feature AJHL game on Saturday in Lloydminster at 5:00 PM at the Centennial Civic Centre.