Possibly feeling rejuvenated after two shutout wins this past weekend, the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs just could not keep any momentum going, as the team traveled to Fort McMurray Wednesday and were promptly welcomed to town with a 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Oil Barons.
Both teams hit the Cashman Centre ice looking for a win and to move up the Alberta Junior Hockey League's North Division standings, but Bonnyville simply found itself holding on for dear life, rather than dictating the play.
The Pontiacs were successful in keeping it scoreless through the first, but after that the wheels fell off.
Bonnyville managed only four and six shots in the second and third periods, while giving up three and two goals respectively in those same frames.
Pontiacs goalie Dylan Wells made 36 saves on 41 shots.
The game degraded further in the third period, as slashing, roughing and misconduct penalties were capped off by a scrap between first-year Pontiac and Bonnyville's leading scorer Tommy Barszcz and third-year Oil Baron Markus Gerbrandt.
Pontiacs coaches have remarked of late, the team must invest more emotion into the game and be prepared to give everything to win each game.
The Pontiacs will hit the practice circuit for the next two days before back-to-back home games this weekend.
The coaching staff of the Pontiacs will be looking for better, more emotionally driven performances when the team takes on the Drumheller Dragons Friday and the Olds Grizzlys Saturday at the R.J. Lalonde Arena.
Puck drop for both games is 7 p.m.
