By Robb Fenton
While it’s a unique opponent, it’s a big game for the Lloydminster Tanroc Bobcats.
The Bobcats are currently tied with the St. Albert Raiders for first place in the AMHL with a game in hand, a game they will make up when they take on the Canadian National Women’s Team tonight at the Civic Centre.
“It’s a very important game. Getting two points with our game in hand would put us in sole possession of first,” Bobcats head coach Kyle Tapp said. “Next, being the Olympic team, it’s a huge honour and an opportunity to help them prepare and feel like you had some input and help to get the Olympic team ready to represent Canada.”
The Bobcats will look to get back in the win column after an up and down weekend where they easily could have come away with a few points, but only managed one during two road games.
Saturday, the Bobcats erased a two-goal deficit, but fell 3-2 to the Grande Prairie Storm, and on Sunday a late goal allowed the K of C Pats to salvage a 3-3 tie with the ‘Cats.
“We actually played well. We had the tie locked up in GP after being down 2-0 and they scored with 11 seconds left and we had the win locked up against K of C and they scored with 22 seconds left to tie it up, so very easily we could have got three or four points,” Tapp said. “It’s been a problem of ours lately, We give up late goals. It’s something we have to work on, but it’s just the grinds of a hockey season.”
With all the hype and buzz around the Olympics, which are less than a month away and Team Canada coming to town, it will be important for the Bobcats to stick to their game plan and not let the atmosphere get the better of them Thursday night.
“We got a good taste at the Mac’s Tournament, the pressure itself, but you never know how they are going to handle it. Being women, it’s going to be a different style of game with international rules, which means no contact,” Tapp explained.
“It’s really going to force us to work on our possession regroup game. It’s something we like to label ourselves as, a puck possession team, so on that side we should be okay.”
With the playoffs around the corner and the Bobcats in a good position to reach them for the first time in the franchises’ history, they have simulated playoff series to prepare for a title run.
“We’ve turned the last 10 games into five games series like the playoffs and we’ve allowed it to get to 2-2, so this is our game five, so it’s going to be big,” Bobcats captain Kameren Ballas said. “It’s going to be more of a possession game. We’re going to have to control the puck, that’s what they (Team Canada) are going to do. We won’t be able to hit, so it’s going to be about puck movement and supporting each other and communicating.”
While it is a big game, the Bobcats aren’t looking past the fact they are able to step on the same ice as some of the most notable names in Canadian hockey like Hayley Wickenheiser, Kim St. Pierre and Jennifer Botterill.
“It’s a big game that comes once in a lifetime for us,” ‘Cats goalie Tyler Briggs said about facing off against past and future Olympians. “We’re going to have to contain the puck more and use our speed.”
The Bobcats remained focussed on the task at hand – picking up two points, but said there will be some butterflies at puck drop with a likely packed Civic Centre on hand to watch the game.
“It’s very exciting, playing against Canada, the best women’s players in the world,” Bobcats forward Ty Carey said.
“They’re professional athletes, they take it seriously, so it’s going to be a big test,” Tapp said.
Warm-ups begin around 6:30 p.m. tonight, while puck drop is set for about 7:10 p.m. at the Civic Centre.