Lloydminster Bobcats’ associate coach, Jeff Woywitka, talks strategy with defencemen Orin Olson and Grady Hauk on Friday night as the ‘Cats hosted the Bonnyville Pontiacs. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
The Lloydminster Bobcats are off to a rocky start after two home and one road loss to kick off Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) pre-season.
The ‘Cats started exhibition play last Friday night at home as they hosted the Bonnyville Pontiacs before heading to Bonnyville the following night for a road game.
Friday’s pre-season opener saw roughly 680 fans in attendance as the boys suffered a 5-2 loss at the hands of the ‘Yaks.
Despite the loss, it’s worth pointing out the ‘Cats were first to get on the board with goals from Ben Aucoin and Michael Carter in the opening frame. Unfortunately for the ‘Cats, the ‘Yaks applied a ton of pressure after those first two goals and came away with a 5-2 win.
The boys did their best to shake Friday’s loss, but Bonnyville hit home ice on Saturday with an even bigger appetite for a W, beating the ‘Cats 7-1. The Bobcats’ lone goal came from the tape of Emmett Nordin with an assist from Rajun Parmar.
The Bobcats returned to home ice on Labour Day as they hosted the powerhouse Sherwood Park Crusaders in front of just shy of 600 fans.
Monday’s game went in favour of the Crusaders, who put away nine goals to the ‘Cats two.
Sherwood Park capitalized first mid-way through the first period before scoring another four in the first 10 minutes of the opening frame.
Bobcats Ishan Mittoo and Kade Fendelet would each get one before the end of the second, but the Crusaders really showed up in the third to beat the ‘Cats 9-2.
