By Robert Murray/Today Staff
http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2014/03/16/oil-barons-drop-game-two-to-bobcats
There would be no comeback for the home team on Saturday night as the Fort McMurray Oil Barons fell behind after scoring the opening goal and never recovered in a 3-1 loss to the Lloydminster Bobcats.
“They didn’t compete at all,” said MOB head coach Gord Thibodeau. “We got beat (on) a lot of loose pucks, got beat in a lot of battles. You get to playoffs, every team is even. It’s a question of want. There wasn’t a lot of want there, especially by a lot of our forwards; we didn’t get a lot of help from our (defence.)”
For the second straight time this series and fifth this playoffs, the MOB scored first. Saturday night, it was Louis Joseph Sawyer’s chance to fulfill that role as he pounced on a big rebound from Bobcats net minder Christopher Tai to put the MOB up one just 3:10 into the game.
The Bobcats came to life in the second period as Austin McDonald kickstarted the Bobcats offence less than five minutes into the second period. Before the midway mark of the middle frame, Tyler Kunz scored to give the Bobcats their first lead of the game. Linden Spring added an insurance goal in the third period.
Aside from his early blemish, Christopher Tai was solid in net, stopping 22 of the 23 shots he face. Tanner Jaillet allowed three goals for the second straight game, making 28 saves on 31 shots.
The Bobcats victory tied their Alberta Junior Hockey League semi-final series up at one game a piece heading back to Lloydminster for games three and four on Monday and Tuesday night.
Monday’s game is scheduled for puck drop at 7:30 p.m.
robert.murray@sunmedia.ca
Photo Credit: Robert Murray/Today Staff
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