The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs opened this past week with a thrilling 4-3 win over the Spruce Grove Saints in overtime.
The Pontiacs then closed the week out with another back and forth game against the Saints that again went to overtime, only this time it was the Saints coming out on top with a 3-2 win.
Stuck in between the two games in Spruce Grove was another exciting affair, this one between the Pontiacs and Sherwood Park Crusaders at the R.J. Lalonde Arena in Bonnyville Friday.
Despite putting up 46 shots to Sherwood Park's 25, the Pontiacs fell to their division rival by a score of 3-2.
Pontiacs associate coach Rick Swan said, “We might not have got exactly the results we wanted, in terms of wins this week, but I'm really proud of the boys. We're sticking with it and never giving up. We not only played hard, but we played together.
“We have guys stepping up for us and stepping up for each other. We're growing as a team and really coming into our own with an identity as a team that other teams really don't want to go up against.”
The Pontiacs have now amassed 37 points through 31 games on the season and are currently tied for third in the AJHL's North Division with the Whitecourt Wolverines, who have played one more game than the Pontiacs.
Pontiacs defenceman Sean Mostrom had a solid week for his team, picking up at least a point in all three games, including two assists in the Pontiacs overtime win over the Saints, as well as picking up his first AJHL goal at home on Friday.
Pontiacs forward Luke Mahura continues to show his goal-scoring prowess, picking up the overtime winner on Tuesday in Spruce Grove and adding another marker on Sunday, bringing his total to eight goals on the season.
In Sunday's penalty-filled affair, the Pontiacs showed the resilience and toughness the coaches talk about.
There were several roughing after the whistle calls, as well as two fights, one in which Pontiacs forward Tommy Barszcz won a unanimous decision over Saints defenceman Tyler Kunz.
“We need that toughness and fight and resiliency in our game and I think that the boys get that and are really buying in,” said Swan.
Despite the rash of penalties called Sunday – 20 calls through the first 40 minutes – the officials seemed to put their whistle away in the third period.
That was until it came to overtime, where a questionable call subsequently led to a 4-on-3 powerplay for the Saints, who capitalized just a minute later.
“Sometimes there are things that happen in games that are out of our control,” said Swan. “We're starting to not let those things affect us and just sticking to our game.
“This is the kind of adversity we can really build on.”
The Pontiacs will now head on the road for a southern swing starting Wednesday in Calgary, then to Olds, then back to Calgary and then finally to Drumheller. The Pontiacs will travel north to Sherwood Park for a game against the Crusaders on Dec. 12, before returning home for a game on Dec. 15 and another on Dec.16.
