For the first time in the last five games the Fort McMurray Oil Barons heard the final buzzer sound without earning a point as they lost 5-3 to the Lloydminster Bobcats on Friday.
Will Conley opened the scoring for the second game in a row in the first five minutes for his team leading thirteenth goal of the season.
The Bobcats would score five unanswered following that with two to close out the first and another three in the second to take a commanding 5-1 lead into the third. It was another night where the wheels fell off the wagon in the second period.
“We got into a little bit of penalty trouble, we weren’t moving our feet we were a little bit hesitant getting to pucks and with a team like this you give them chances the puck is going to be in your net in a hurry,” said Mike Brodeur, Oil Barons Assistant Coach on the ROCK 97.9 post-game show. “Once we stopped playing hesitant and we actually forced plays to happen and getting on the body we were successful.”
The Oil Barons did mount a small comeback in the third outshooting Lloydminster 11-7 and getting a pair of goals from Brett Edwards who finished the night with three points.
“I thought Edwards was excellent tonight, that’s the Edwards we want every night and that’s the challenge for him is to be consistent like that every night, he’s going to be one of our go to guys,” said Brodeur. “He’s got the skill, he’s got the speed and now he’s just got to put it together every night and every shift.”
Conley had a three-point night as well and now has eight over his last five games.
The Oil Barons were outshot 35-26 as Forbes Ploszaj made 30 saves and Pierce Diamond had 23 for the Bobcats.
Fort McMurray was goalless on six power-plays while the ‘Cats converted on one of five.
Lloydminster had goals from Christian Lloyd, Brett Smythe, Morgan Messenger, Griffin Mumby and Troy Van Tetering.
“I thought we set the tone in the third period for [Saturday] night we came out hard. We wanted to try and get it tied up but when you spot a team a four goal lead like that it’s tough to come back.”
The second game of the back-to-back set goes at the Casman Centre at 8 p.m. Saturday. Once again the Oil Barons will be wearing their pink jerseys that are being auctioned off in support of Bo Cooper.
You can place a bid on the jerseys by calling the Oil Barons box office at 780.743.5509.
The Oil Barons didn’t increase their lead on the final playoff spot in the north division they stood pat at eight points as Grande Prairie fell to Brooks 12-0.
Article courtesy of mymcmurray.com.
Photographer: Dan Lines