League MVP Bobby McMann and AJHL top defenceman Brinson Pasichnuk powered the Bonnyville offence in a 5-2 victory over the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Friday night, which saw the 2015-16 Pontiacs become the best team in franchise history.
With the victory Bonnyville improved to 38-11-9 and tied a franchise record for wins in one season. The two points picked up on that night pushed them to 85 points, the best point total a team has accumulated in the organizations 25-year history.
“It is great on the organization,” said Swan. “We are all really proud and it helps us create some momentum going onto the playoffs, which is exciting for us.”
It was a night for celebration at the RJ Lalonde Arena. Prior to puck drop McMann was presented with the MVP trophy, Pasichnuk was named the AJHL's most outstanding defenceman and Rick Swan was recognized as the coach of the year.
“A credit to the organization and the community. Often it takes time to build something special and I think that is what they have done here in this community with this organization. They have a great group of athletes and a great coaching staff,” said AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk.
McMann backed up his MVP title notching his 35th goal of the season 1:20 into the first period to give Bonnyville the early 1-0 lead. The slim advantage held up until the 11:28 mark of the opening period, when Fort McMurray's Taner Miller evened it up.
Although the Pontiacs had dominated the opening 20 minutes, outshooting the Oil Barons 17-9, it looked like the two squads were destined to head into the break deadlocked 1-1. That was until Pasichnuk made one of his signature rushes up the ice, sent a one-handed pass into the slot and Ryan Piche whacked the rebound of a Chandler Klein shot into the wide-open cage. The goal came with six seconds left on the clock and gave the lead back to the home side.
Bonnyville added to it midway through the second period when the league's best home power play got a chance to work its magic. Kyler Hehn took a pass from Steenn Pasichnuk walked across the top of the left faceoff dot and ripped a beautiful wrist shot past Forbes Ploszaj. The Pontiacs 56th power play goal of the season, and 36th at home, gave them a 3-1 advantage.
Brett Edwards struck for the visitors 1:29 into the third period, with Brinson in the box serving a two-minute holding penalty.
Roughly seven minutes after that rookie Derek Brown continued his impressive campaign snapping a wrist shot past Ploszaj for his 19th. The goal came courtesy of a nice pass from Chad Hurtubise, who perfectly executed a two-on-one break.
Brinson hit an empty net with seconds remaining to tie Brown with 19 goals and seal a 5-2 victory for Bonnyville.
“I thought we battled hard. We made a couple of mistakes but that happens,” said Pasichnuk. “We just have to fine tune and couple of things for playoffs and we are going to go all the way this year.
With the goal the 18-year-old blueliner continued to add to his record setting season. The 19 goals and 63 points are a new record for a Pontiacs defenceman.
Bonnyville will finish up their 2015-16 season with road games in Whitecourt and Grande Prairie on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The first round of the AJHL playoffs are tentatively set for March 10. If the standings stay the same the Pontiacs will host the Sherwood Park Crusaders in a five-game opening round series.
“It is going to be a fun first round and it is going to be a fun journey to the end,” said Bartoshyk. “Every night it is going to be interesting and it is going to come down to the little mistakes. I am definitely looking forward to the playoffs.”
