Despite out shooting the Portage College Voyageurs 51 to 25, the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs lost the exhibition game on Aug. 29 3-1.
Ryan Kearns, who graduated from the Pontiacs at the end of last season after putting up nearly a point per game in his final two seasons in Bonnyville, returned to take on his former team, scoring the first two goals for the Voyageurs.
After leaving the Pontiacs, Kearns returned to his hometown of Lac La Biche, committing to playing for the Voyageurs and pursuing a post secondary education with the college.
Returning to play against some of last year's team mates was a nerve-wracking experience, Kearns said after the game, though both he added his former team mates were too focussed on the game to give him much trouble, just the odd smile.
Scoring the first two goals certainly helped him overcome his nerves.
“A little pressure off my back to get the first one,” he said, laughing. “It felt nice. After that, we sort of settled in and started to play our game.”
The Voyageurs relied heavily on the goal tending skills of Kirby Halcrow, former AJHL goalie, who managed to block 50 of 51 shots on goal.
The one goal he missed was shot by Spencer Foo, a player who has racked up a few points in his attempts to make the team.
“They out shot us by 25 shots,” Kearns said. “They've got a hard-working team. They've got lots of skill. They played pretty well.”
Kearns has been playing with the Voyageurs for nearly a week now, adjusting to a new team. He said his three years with the Pontiacs was “awesome” and he doesn't envy Pontiacs head coach and general manager for the difficult position he is in as he tries to finalize the Pontiac line-up.
“With the type of players he brings in, he brings a lot of quality players and he does a good job scouting. He obviously spends a lot of nights figuring out what's best for the team. I think he's got a pretty hard job.”
The Pontiacs host the Lloydminster Bobcats at the RJ Lalonde Arena for their home opener in regular season action Sept. 7.
