The Lloydminster Bobcats didn’t give the Fort McMurray Oil Barons any surprises Friday night. They were a desperate team battling for their playoff lives in a match of first vs. worst and the Bobcats came out on top 4-3.
The loss was the Oil Barons (41-11-3) first regulation loss since they were thumped 6-0 by the Calgary Canucks December 18th. A streak of 19 games that saw the MOB go 17-0-2 and climb from fourth place in the North Division to first place and a five point lead on the Whitecourt Wolverines. However, Friday’s loss combined with a Whitecourt win over Drayton Valley now see’s the MOB just three points up with one game in hand.
“We were not very good in our own zone, we ran around, we didn’t see a lot of proper lanes and they took advantage so I’m glad it came now rather than in the playoffs so we’ll see what kind of character we have in the dressing room,” said MOB head coach Tom Keca on the loss.
The Bobcats (15-39-3) have been playing their best hockey of the season over the last month and now have six wins in their last 11 games. Wins against teams much higher than them in the standings including Bonnyville, Okotoks, Sherwood Park and now the MOB.
The Barons fell behind early as Rob Johnson opened the scoring for the Bobcats 4:23 into the first period on a two on one rush. The MOB got caught with four players deep and allowed Chasetan Braid to race up ice with Johnson. Braid fed Johnson who beat Eric Szudor under the glove hand .
The Barons tied the game at 13:14 when Brett Edwards had two cracks at goal. The second shot got through and hit Hayden Ursulak on the way to the net beating Austin McGrath up high.
The Bobcats quickly restored their lead 49 seconds later when Daniel Hilsendager spotted a streaking Zach Webb behind the MOB defence. Webb out muscled both defenders on his way to the goal, beating Szudor for his 16th goal of the season.
“We pinched with no support, we gave up odd man rushes and they capitalized on those odd man rushes,” said Keca.
The MOB again clawed back as JC Thivierge ripped home an Edwards pass that beat McGrath on the far side. The goal was the defenceman’s 13th of the year.
In the second period, the MOB poured on the pressure, peppering McGrath with 20 shots but only managed to beat him once. While on a powerplay, Matteo Aiello sent the puck towards goal. Shane Fraser deflected the pass off the pad of McGrath and Curtis Roach jumped on the rebound to chip in his 12th goal of the year and give the Barons their first lead.
The MOB looked poised to head into the intermission up a goal until a defensive breakdown left Zach Kaiser alone in the slot. A bouncing puck found the stick of Kaiser and he fired in the tying goal with 25 seconds left in the period.
“We out chanced them 12-2 yet you only give yourself a one goal lead and then in the last minute of the period you get a guy that doesn’t stop on the puck and they capitalize,” said Keca of his team’s play in the second period. “They were very opportunistic, they capitalized on their chances and they were very deserving of the two points.”
Despite being outshot 42-16 after two periods, it would be the Bobcats jumping out in front in the third period. Szudor came out to play the puck and his clearing attempt hit a mass of bodies. The puck ended up on the stick of Brady Barclay who beat Szudor up high as the goaltender tried to get back into his net.
The MOB pressed for an equalizer and were about to head to a late powerplay with 2:38 left until Will Conley got baited into taking a penalty on the same play to even things up. A frustrating night for the MOB that saw them throw 52 shots on goal to the Bobcats 21.
They will get a chance to bounce back Saturday night when they finish their season series with the Bobcats. Pre-game show at 7:15 p.m. on Country 93.3 with Taylor Pope.
Tom Keca post-game show.
Feb24
