LOWELL, MA — The Worcester IceCats fell 4-3 to the Lowell Lock Monsters Saturday night despite a late comeback attempt. The loss, combined with a Providence win, slipped the ‘Cats to fifth place in the Atlantic Division.

Down 4-1 late in the third, Eric Boguniecki and Jay McClement scored to pull the ‘Cats within one goal. Eric Staal’s second goal of the game stood up as the game-winner, further solidifying their hold on third place.

Lowell led 2-0 after the first period on goals by Carsen Germyn and Staal. Matt Lombardi scored 33 seconds into the third period on a shorthanded breakaway to make it a 3-0 game.

Eric Boguniecki finally put Worcester on the board with a power play goal at 7:03, but Staal struck again at 11:59 give Lowell a 4-1 lead. The ‘Cats refused to pack it in, and McClement and Boguniecki scored 2:07 apart to make it a one-goal game.

Lowell has a six-point lead on Providence, who gained fourth place with a 2-1 shootout win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The IceCats are now two points out of the fourth and final playoff spot in the division, while sixth place Portland is a scant five points behind the ‘Cats.

The Bruins travel to Worcester this Wednesday night at 7:05PM for a game that could put the ‘Cats back in fourth place, or further scurry their playoff aspirations.