The Lloydminster Bobcats have had a rough start to the season, but Head Coach Nigel Dube says the almost entirely new-look team has time to get in a groove. The team has started a new chapter as an organization with only three forwards returning from last year, 19 new faces on the ice and a brand new training facility.
“When you have so many young bodies you have to be consistent not only with your day-to-day not only when your playing but your practice. Reflect on that a little bit and look at the video and go through the systematic and see where you need to improve and where we executed.”
The Bobcats went into the opening weekend with two games against 2018’s top AHJL the in the north division last year, the Sherwood Park Crusaders. The Cats looked promising with a 7-5 loss on the road during the season opener on September 13th.
“We did really good things, we moved the puc k well, we shot the puck and competed really hard.”
The next night, the team couldn’t keep the same composure during their home opener losing 6-0 to the Crusaders. Dube says nerves seemed to carry on from Saturday’s game into Wednesday as the team added a third loss to their record against the Spruce Grove Saints.
“The players that we have here are going to do good things are going to do great things over time, it’s just a matter of getting there. We like where we’re at and we will continue to grow every day and continue to get better.”
Ahead of their next game, the Bobcats have acquired goaltender Josh Dias from the Fort Mcmurray Oil Barons. The Bobcats will be heading to back-to-back games against the Grande Praire Storm on September 20th and 21st.