It wasn't the type of hockey the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs were playing that was losing them games, it was an utter lack of scoring, according to head coach Chad Mercier, with the team netting more than two goals just twice over its last nine games, which includes the team's recent four-game losing streak.
But after fighting through the futility for nearly two weeks, the Pontiacs snapped out of the funk, which was their longest losing streak of the season, with a 9-3 thrashing of the St. Albert Steel Saturday in Bonnyville.
Going back to Jan. 20, the Pontiacs were just getting on a roll, beating some of the top teams in the league including the Fort McMurray Oil Barons and the Spruce Grove Saints. But even in winning, the team was cutting it close at just 2-1 and 3-1 margins.
Then the slide started. On Jan. 28, Brooks came to town and beat the Pontiacs 4-2. Bonnyville followed that up with two straight losses in Grande Prairie Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Then came the pill that is always tough to swallow for Pontiacs players and fans, a loss to Fort McMurray on home ice Feb. 3.
Despite the coach's positive perceptions, noting only one of those losses was truly lopsided in regards to the level of play – that being the Jan. 31 game in Grande Prairie – team morale was slipping and frustration was showing through.
But then came Saturday's game against the Steel. Usually a 9-3 win at home would be considered a great way to kick a streak, but Mercier was quick to point out the win needs to be a starting point, not a point of satisfaction.
“We need to take this win and move forward from it and get better from it,” he said. “We can't sit here and be satisfied with it.”
For many Pontiacs though, this was a great way to get back on track, especially after being shut out by the Oil Barons the night before, despite playing a strong all-around game, according to their coach.
Forward Dillon Currie started the scoring Saturday against the Steel, putting home his 10th goal on the season.
Pontiacs forwards Dallas Ansell and Tanner Dusyk, as well as defenceman Colton Waltz also scored in the first period.
Carrying a 4-1 lead into the second, the Pontiacs did not let up.
Dusyk added his second of the game for his 24th goal and 50th point on the season, while Levi Ansell netted his 11th goal of the season, before the Steel scored their second on the night to bring in to 6-2.
That's when the Ty Carey show started.
The Pontiacs power forward ripped his first of the night on the power play four minutes into the second period. St. Albert added another, but Carey responded just minutes later with an unassisted effort to increase the lead to 8-3.
Carey capped off the hat trick halfway through the third period on the power play, with fans honouring the feat by throwing their hats to the ice surface in celebration.
The 19-year-old assistant captain said the win was important for the entire team.
“This was huge for us after the past few games, where we've been struggling to score a bit,” he explained. “We had all four lines going tonight and just getting our offence going is huge heading into these last few games before playoffs.”
Dallas Ansell, who put up a goal and three assists in the game, was happy with the way his team did not let up, even after building a large lead.
“We've been bit before, sitting back after we get a lead and then losing because of that. So it was good to see us all keep going and not let up. We need to play the same way regardless of what the score is.”
After replacing an injured Dylan Wells and making his first start as a junior A goalie Friday against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, Pontiacs back-up goalie Tyler Santos scored his first AJHL win Saturday over the Steel.
Seventeen-year-old Santos, who was brought in from midget AAA to replace the departed Curtis Honey, said he was excited to get a chance to help the team win.
“I have a lot of respect for Wells and have learned so much from him since coming here,” Santos said. “I am just happy to have the chance to play and excited to help the team get the win tonight.”
Backing him up was Coltin Batke of the midget AA Northeast Panthers.
The Pontiacs, with five games to go in the regular season, continue to sit fourth in the AJHL's North Division with 74 points, two ahead of the Sherwood Park Crusaders and four back of the Lloydminster Bobcats.
Bonnyville will head to Fort McMurray for a game against the Oil Barons tonight (Feb. 7) at 7:30 p.m.
The Pontiacs return home to face the Camrose Kodiaks Saturday, before heading back on the road for a rematch against the St. Albert Steel Sunday.
Bonnyville will play their final two regular season games at home Feb. 16-17 against the Spruce Grove Saints.
AJHL playoffs start Feb. 24.
Co-captain Kevin Carthy returned to the lineup Feb. 3, after missing a week due to injury.
Forward Austen Hebert left Friday's game with an injury and is out at least a week.
Defenceman Zach Beisel attempted to play in Saturday's game, but was unable to due to an injury and will be re-evaluated this week.
Starting goalie Dylan Wells sat out Friday and Saturday's games with an undisclosed injury.
Forward Ryan Kearns remains out of the lineup with an injury.
Co-captain Dante Borrelli remains out of the lineup with an injury. The forward hopes to return prior to the start of playoffs.
