Bobcats Stay Alive with Overtime Victory

Fort McMurray vs Lloydminster (Oil Barons lead 3-2)

Neither team was able to score in the opening period as both teams came out very tentative.

Both teams would get a power play in the opening period but were unable to find the back of the net as the penalty killing units pretty much dominated.

Early in the second Mitchell Byrne pounced on a rebound to given up by Bobcats goaltender Christopher Tai and the Oil Barons had a 1-0 lead at 2:54.

That was the only goal in second period as the Oil Barons were able to kill off two late penalties.

The Bobcats would survive a couple of Oil Baron power plays and still trailed 1-0.

The Bobcats would then get an opportunity to tie the game as Kyler Wilkinson put the puck in front of the net and Troy Rapuano would tip it in to tie the game at 1-1 at 7:02 of the third period.

Then right off a faceoff Grant Baker would fire a shot towards the net that Taylor Mulder would tip behind Oil Barons goaltender Tanner Jaillet to give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead at 9:13 of the third period.

The Oil Barons though would tie the game as Ryan Bloom got free in front of the net and was able to slide the puck behind Tai to tie the game at 2-2 at 13:11 of the third period.

Both teams would get their chances late in the period but couldn’t find the back of the net and game five needed overtime.

Overtime would last just 3:39 as Tanner Dunkle would get free and take two whacks at the puck before putting it into the net to give the Bobcats a 3-2 win.

Bobcats goaltender Christopher Tai would make 30 saves.

Oil Barons goaltender Tanner Jaillet stopped 23 shots.

Game six will Monday night in Lloydminster.

Story by Chris Colwell