The homecoming did not disappoint.
Skating at Pason Centennial Arena for the first time in three seasons Okotoks native Brendon Borbely marked his return to the community rink on a winning note Friday as the visiting Lloydminster Bobcats pulled off the 3-2 upset over the Okotoks Oilers.
“I grew up watching Friday night games in Okotoks and that was pretty special to go out in front of all my family and friends and get a win,” said Borbely, a rookie defenceman with Lloyminster. “I’ve had this one marked since probably training camp. I’ve been telling people all about it and I’m glad that it finally came.”
Word got out.
There was a considerable Bobcats supporting presence on the night with dozens of former teammates, classmates along with parents, siblings, extended family and family friends cheering on the visitors.
The Bobcats made sure their supporters went home happy.
Lloydminster scored two unanswered including the game winner from Zach Kaiser with just under three minutes left in regulation to pick up their first win in three tries over the Oilers.
“Words cannot describe how happy I am right now. I’m ecstatic with the performance the boys put on,” Borbely said. “It was a little bit different. Higher stakes, I had to play harder and play my game. I got (the nerves) out of the way pretty quick in the first and after that it was just a regular game.”
Borbely’s game is one built around being engaged physically, in front of the net and in the corners, trading the odd verbal jab in there, along with a good first pass out of the zone.
“It helps a little bit getting physical,” he said. “Getting in other guys’ faces, getting them off their game kind of gets me on my game.”
Borbely and the Bobcats began a kinship two seasons ago while the blueliner skated with the Rockyview Raiders at the Minor Midget AAA level.
He would affiliate with the ‘Cats in the 2015-16 season before making the jump to the big club.
The 17-year-old has suited up in 30 games as a freshman.
“I’ve learned a lot, developed a lot. Overall I’m satisfied,” he said. “The community is really strong up there, we get a lot of fan support, lots of sponsorship and lots of people who want to see us succeed.”
A team in transition, the Bobcats are in year one of a rebuild after building up last year’s roster with veteran experience as hosts of the RBC Cup national championship where the ‘Cats finished as silver medallists.
One year later the squad is almost entirely new to the league with 17 freshman skaters on the roster.
Lloydminster sits eighth in the North Division, three points out of a playoff spot.
“You definitely have to bring your game every night up in that division,” he said. “Those top four can go one, two, three, four any night. If you take a game off they’re really going to punish you for it and we’ve learned that.
“I expected us to maybe be a little more competitive, but these last couple games we’ve been stepping up and making a playoff push.”
