For the second time this season the Bonnyville Pontiacs broke the hearts of the Lloydminster Bobcats in the final minutes.
With just 1:03 to play in the third period, Daine Dubois broke a 2-2 tie and ultimately propelled the Ponitacs to a 3-2 win Wednesday night over the Bobcats. It was very similar to the result on October 7th between the two teams when Isaac Saniga scored in the final minute to secure a 5-4 victory.
The Dubois goal spoiled a miraculous performance from Bobcat’s netminder Curtis Meger who stopped 43 of Bonnyville’s 46 shots, including some spectacular acrobatic saves. The goal also spoiled a night that saw Noah Taron score his first career Bobcat’s goal, while ‘AP’ Jayven Leslie recorded his first assist in his first game with the Junior A Bobcats.
Bonnyville got on the board first at the midpoint of the opening frame.
A power-play goal from Saniga gave the Pontiacs the lead, but it was short-lived.
Just over two minutes later, Noah Taron busted through a pair of Bonnyville players to the slot before going around goalie Colby Muise with a back hand shot to tie the game.
The scoring held at 1-1 until the middle of the second period when Hunter Lamb scored the 9th goal of his rookie season. The power-play marker gave the Cats a 2-1 lead after two periods.
In the third, the Yaks managed to find the back of the net twice.
9:21 into the final period, Sean Thomson managed to squeak a puck past Meger to tie the score, setting up the stage for Dubois’ late winner.
The Pontiacs went on to outshoot Lloydminster 46-24 in the game.
The Bobcats went 1 for 7 on the power-play, while Bonnyville finished 1 for 6.
Next up for the Cats is a Saturday night home game when they host the Calgary Canucks on Teddy Bear Toss night as the Civic Centre. Puck drop is at 7:30.
