By Robert Murray/Fort McMurray Today
http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2014/03/23/bobcats-down-barons-in-ot
It may have taken an extra period but the Lloydminster Bobcats will take it.
The Bobcats defeated the Fort McMurray Oil Barons by a score of 3-2 in overtime Saturday night to avoid elimination and win their second game of the best-of-seven series, though the MOB still lead the series 3-2.
“I think the team didn’t bury some chances when they had opportunities,” said MOB head coach Gord Thibodeau.
“I didn’t think we shot enough. They didn’t get pretty ones but they got the puck to the net and that’s what happens.”
Things didn’t start off so well for the Bobcats as they fell behind just three minutes into the second period after Mitchell Byrne banged home a rebound to put the MOB up 1-0.
The Bobcats came to life in the third period though as Troy Rapuano and Taylor Mulder scored 2:11 apart to give the Bobcats the lead. Just four minutes later, Ryan Bloom scored his third of the postseason to tie the game. 2-2 would be the score after regulation, so it would take overtime to decide a winner.
After killing off an early penalty, the Bobcats went to work. Dunkle took the puck unopposed in front of the net and out waited Tanner Jaillet before scoring the goal to give the Bobcats a second life in the series.
Bobcats net minder Christopher Tai made 30 saves in the victory while Jaillet made 24 in the loss.
Game six is scheduled to be played 7:30 p.m. Monday night in Lloydminster.
robert.murray@sunmedia.ca
Photo credit: Robert Murray/Fort McMurray Today