‘Cats defender Blake Setter celebrates a second-period goal against the Grande Prairie Storm on Friday night at the Centennial Civic Centre. Setter scored again six minutes later giving him a hat trick for the evening. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
It was another winning weekend for the Lloydminster Bobcats (14-14) as they earned back-to-back home wins over the Grande Prairie Storm (12-10), advancing them to eighth in Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) standings.
The ‘Cats were sitting in 11th of the league’s 16 teams going into the weekend, but as is the case in any sport, it’s not over ‘til it’s over.
Friday’s meeting of the ‘Cats and Storm was full of excitement and had many fans biting their nails in the final minutes of the game.
The Storm struck first with goals from Tyler Dale and Dayne Tews before ‘Cats assistant captain and defender Blake Setter answered with 1:40 remaining in the opening frame with assists from captain Caden Cabana and Dalton MacGillivray.
Setter would also get the equalizer at the 10:19 mark in the second period, making it a 2-2 game.
Peter Copetti made it a 3-2 game for GP less then a minute and a half later. The Storms’ lead, however, was short lived as Setter would once again get the equalizer, as well as a hat trick, with assists once again coming from Cabana and MacGillivray.
Are you sitting down? You might want to sit down; it gets even more exciting from here.
The third period remained scoreless for over 15 minutes until Alessio Nardelli, in his debut season of junior hockey, recorded his first career goal giving the ‘Cats a 4-3 lead, bringing roughly 680 people to their feet.
Unfortunately, it was the home team’s turn for a short-lived lead as the Storm’s Logan Cunningham tied it up with 23 second remaining in regulation to force overtime.
After a quick flood, it took Orin “Ollie” Olson four minutes and 58 seconds to become the hero of the night as he beat the Storm’s goaltender to win the game for the ‘Cats.
Saturday’s meeting of the ‘Cats and Storm may have consisted of fewer goals, but it also consisted of an astonishing 187 penalty minutes between the two teams.
The ‘Cats bested the Storm 4-2 with goals from Michael Carter, Ben Aucoin, Dalton MacGillivray and Ishan Mittoo. Carter, MacGillivray, Jack Birch and assistant captain Kade Fendelet also proved their devotion to the team with 10-minute majors ranging from fighting to blows to the head.
Having played 28 games so far this season, the ‘Cats are currently seated eighth of the 16 teams in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) with 28 points, 95 goals for and 115 against.
The ‘Cats are on the road this weekend with a game in Brooks on Friday and a Saturday night matchup against the Drumheller Dragons before returning to the Centennial Civic Centre next weekend for back-to-back homers. The ‘Cats will host the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Dec. 1 and the Camrose Kodiaks on Dec. 2. The puck drops at 7 p.m. both nights.
