THE VIEW DOWN 897

The voice of the Lloydminster Bobcats John Spigott will offer his unique perspective on the league every Wednesday on TheRobbHunter.com

The big news out of Bobcats camp this week is a new face between the pipes.

General manager Jim Crosson confirmed yesterday the team had acquired 1988-born goaltender Calvin Bartel from the Flin Flon Bombers for the rights to defenceman Lewis Laczko (who left the team earlier this year for personal reasons, and is now playing Junior B in Prince Albert) and future considerations.

Now, it was no secret Crosson wasn’t particularly thrilled with the play of incumbent 19-year-olds Tyler Esau and Brady Wilyman, one of whom is now on the market you would have to think. The Bobcats goaltending – much like the Bobcats this season – has been inconsistent at best. Bartel had a 3.06 GAA this season in Flin Flon, and should immediately become the Number 1 in Lloyd.

Personally, I like this trade. I think Bartel will be a real difference-maker for this team and their young defence. As much as I like Esau and Wilyman – and it should be noted I think those two have been OK this season, and without a whole lot of help some nights – Crosson has said from the outset that he doesn’t want his goaltending to be just “OK.”

But if you are keeping score at home, you have to be amazed with the number of former Prince Albert Mintos and Moose Jaw AAA Midget Warriors in the Border City. Bartel, Jared Jagow, A-Jay Moore, Riley Gillies, Brentt Becker, and Wilyman all played midget in Moose Jaw. Adam Matlock, Brendan Turner, Michael Winkel, Bobby Spigott, and Brett Slobodzian all played midget in Prince Albert. Add to that Adam Slobodzian (North Battleford) and Jon Sonntag – wow. Talk about Saskatchewan content.

In other personnel moves, the team has sent forward David McNeill home to await a trade. McNeill was the Bobcats Most Improved Player last season, but couldn’t find enough ice time this year, especially after the return and emergence of Gillies.

Interesting road trip coming up this weekend for the Bobcats, who make the trek to Grande Prairie. The Pontiacs didn’t have a whole lot of success there last week (but really, who does up there?) so we’ll see how the Bobcats fare coming off two big wins over Drayton Valley. Worth noting that the Storm are a little different than the Thunder, however.

Jared Jagow has officially caught fire. The former Seattle Thunderbird has 10 points in his last 3 games, and his presence on a line with Lloydminster boys Brody Foster and David Dziurzynski given the Bobcats a legitimate second line for the first time all season. We’ll see if he can keep it up against the stingy Storm defence and the great Chris Osgood-style mask of Storm goalie Matt Milne.

As always, I have the call this weekend at www.lloydminsterbobcats.com. See you next week.