What a start to the season.
The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs just keep on rolling, winning two more games this past weekend, pushing their record to 4-0 to start the 2011-12 regular season.
The Pontiacs waited until the third period Friday night in Drayton Valley to score all four goals to earn a hard-fought 4-1 victory over the Thunder.
Sunday afternoon in Bonnyville, the Pontiacs' offence exploded for seven goals, including five on the power play, to down the Calgary Mustangs 7-4.
The Pontiacs haven't been perfect, but they've been productive when they had to be, especially on offence. The team has scored no less than four goals in each of its first four games, bringing their season total to 20.
Pontiacs head coach and general manager Chad Mercier said there is still a lot of work to be done, but picking up these early points is very important.
“We've had to work and battle hard for these points,” said Mercier, who recently signed a five-year contract extension to remain in charge of the Pontiacs. “We'll take them when we can.
“They are very valuable for us. But one little mistake can change so many things. A lot of times, this early in the year, you can get away with those mistakes. But mentally we just need to stay with it and continue to get better.”
Sunday's game against the Mustangs was a wild one from the beginning, with two goals called back in the first period, huge hits being thrown all over the ice and misconducts dolled out on multiple occasions.
“It was a crazy afternoon all around,” Mercier said. “Every team in this league is so tight and so close. It's always a battle.”
The Pontiacs got off to a good start when first-year forward Tommy Barszcz scored his first of three goals early in the first period. He also added an assist for his first AJHL four-point game. It was also Barszcz's first hat trick.
“Tommy (Barszcz) was on fire back there,” said Pontiacs forward Levi Ansell, who also netted one goal and picked up an assist.
Barszcz was excited about the hat trick, but modestly credited his teammates for his success.
“It's unbelievable. I wasn't expecting that. I came out feeling a little sick but I kept going. We fought through, that's what our team does.
“And my linemates were incredible, without these guys I wouldn't have any of these goals. They are physical, they have speed, unreal hands. You can't find any better players than that.”
Mercier said he expects Barszcz to provide the team with offence this season and was very happy with his game Sunday.
“Tommy has done nothing but get better from day one. He's becoming that player that we thought he would be when we brought him in. His compete level has been very high and it's nice to see him get rewarded.”
Barszcz was not the only Pontiac to pick up four points in Sunday's game. Defenceman Blake Leask dished out four assists, bringing his point total to nine through four games, good for the league lead.
Though the Pontiacs scored seven against the Mustangs, Calgary never gave up.
After Barszcz made it 1-0, Ty Carey netted his second of the year making it 2-0.
Calgary responded a minute to cut the deficit in half, before Pontiacs co-captain Kevin Carthy tucked a rebound home to increase the lead to 3-1.
The Pontiacs were pressed in the third period, but never surrendered the lead.
