‘Cats forward Remy Spooner celebrates a third-period go-ahead goal over the Canmore Eagles at the Civic Centre to a packed barn of over 1,200 hockey fans. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos
If you were one of roughly 2,226 screaming and booing Bobcats fans at the Centennial Civic Centre over the weekend, chances are, you’ll be back for more.
At least that’s what the boys in black and orange are hoping after putting on a home-ice hockey clinic at the expense of the Olds Grizzlys (10-33-2-3) and Canmore Eagles (21-28-1-1).
The ‘Cats (27-23) hosted the last-place Grizzlys on Friday, beating the boys from Olds 5-2 to a packed rink of roughly 1,017 fans. Canmore was in town on Saturday and suffered a 4-2 loss in front of over 1,200 Bobcats fans.
“It was really good to have the amazing fan support,” said ‘Cats head coach Brad Rihela.
“It gets real loud in here, the guys feed off of that energy, and we were able to pull out two wins for the fans; it’s great to see.”
Coming off a two-loss roadie in Camrose and Drayton Valley at the end of January, Rihela noted adjustments needed to be made, but the boys buckled down and were able to deliver.
“Being more connected, closer to each other defensively, trying to get back to some of our habits were big focusses for us,” he said.
“I thought you saw a lot more desperation out of our team the last couple games … we’re moving in the right direction.”
Friday’s win saw goals from Lucas Magowan, Brody Juck and Remy Spooner in the first, Teague McAllister in the second, and Ben Aucoin scored his 20th of the season early in the third.
Friday also saw packed penalty boxes with 56 PIMs off 16 infractions for the Grizzlys and 40 PIMS off 12 infractions for the ‘Cats.
Saturday night’s matchup may have been closer by the numbers, but the ‘Cats came out firing and really put on a show.
Teague McAllister would once again get first blood for the ‘Cats with a goal at 5:32 in the first. Canmore’s Rhett Dekowny, however, tied it up at one before the end of the first frame.
Lloyd’s Alessio Nardelli got the ‘Cats second goal of the night (his fourth of the season) at 6:02 in the second to get the crowd going before the Eagles equalized it at the end of the second.
Throughout the first half of the third, the ‘Cats were throwing absolutely everything they had at Eagles netminder Matthew Malin.
At the 11:36 mark, however, the roof of the Civic almost blew off due to cheers after a go-ahead goal from ‘Cats forward Remy Spooner to make it a 3-2 game.
The pressure was mounting on both benches. The Eagles had an empty net and very little time on the clock to make something happen … but ‘Cats centre Ishan Mittoo had other plans and got in deep for an empty netter for a 4-2 final.
Aside from blocking more howitzers than is likely recommended by doctors, ‘Cats captain, Caden Cabana, got assists on three of the team’s four goals on Saturday. Cabbie is now ranked second overall in AJHL skaters with 58 points in 47 games.
Spooner and Mittoo both agreed the large crowds played a factor in the weekend’s success and noted fans can expect to see this type of hockey from the ‘Cats for the remainder of the season.
“That’s our type of game right there,” said Mittoo. “We play fast, we play physical … you can say all the clichés, but that’s just how we play, and we have big aspirations for the rest of the year.”
“The fans? Oh, they’re awesome,” added Spooner.
“There were a lot more than usual and we really, really enjoy the support from our community and really appreciate it; I hope we put on a good show.”
The recent structure changes in the AJHL are no secret with the Brooks Bandits, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Sherwood Park Crusaders, Okotoks Oilers and Spruce Grove Saints moving to the BCHL next season, but coach Rihela said the ‘Cats are just taking things one day at a time.
“It’s tough to say. I know the governors are doing a really good job of staying on top of that,” said Rihela.
“With the information I have, we’re just focused on our next game. You might see some slight changes to the schedule, but I know the league’s decided to move forward, and our guys are excited to move forward. It’s a ‘next-game-up’ mentality right now for us.”
The ‘Cats host the Camrose Kodiak this Saturday before heading to Whitecourt on Feb. 13. before playing in Olds on Feb. 17. The boys will then host the Drayton Valley Thunder on Feb. 23 and finish February in Camrose on Feb. 24.
The boys will return to the Civic on March 1 when they host the Drayton Valley Thunder at 7 p.m. before the Wolverines come to town from Whitecourt on March 2.
For Rihela, the rest of the season is about commitment.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever coached a more committed group of players. Really proud of the guys.”
