The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs have got some work to do over the coming days to ensure the team reaches its first AJHL North Division Championship playoff series after splitting the first two games of the second-round with the Whitecourt Wolverines last weekend.
Much like the first round, the Pontiacs came out of the blocks hard in game one on Friday, taking the early lead and never really looking back as they prevailed over the Wolverines by a score of 4-2. The near capacity crowd at the RJ Lalonde Arena were also treated to a rare feat, as two penalty shots were awarded, and saved, in the second period.
However the next night was a result the Pontiacs would like to put behind them. Despite a great performance from Jackson Dudley, who put up two goals and an assist, the team was on the wrong end of a 4-3 score in what was a scrappy game, full of both minor and major penalties.
Pontiacs head coach Chad Mercier said the team has got a lot of work to do now on the road in order to come back to Bonnyville next weekend with an advantage going into game five.
“I think the first thing we have to do is make sure we don't turn over too many pucks, I think that was a problem (in game two),” Mercier said. “The boys will bounce back, maybe focus on making our special teams better and regroup in time for game three.”
Game two saw the return of two assistant captains, as the team's top-scorer Tanner Dusyk and Levi Ansell both returned from long-term hand injuries. Mercier said it was great to be able to welcome them back into the fold.
“Obviously it's great (to have Tanner and Levi back), it brings a bit more depth to our hockey club,” Mercier said. “Their hands are doing good, there may be some rest issues, but they'll be ok for game three.”
Veteran players Locke Muller and Ty Carey were particularly impressive in the first two games, with Muller inspiring the team to victory in game one with a goal and an assist and Cary putting up 5 points over the weekenk. Pontiacs' head coach Chad Mercier said it was important that the older players on the team step up in the big games.
“I've said all year if we're going to do anything in junior hockey, your older guys have to be the best players every night,” Mercier said. “They're the ones that have been through it and everyone else has to follow them. We had some great leadership on Friday and we're going to need a lot more of it if we want to progress.”
Pontiacs captain Locke Muller said he was confident the team would regroup for games three and four in Whitecourt.
“There's no doubt in my mind that we can go there and get a couple of results,” Muller said. “We have to compete as a team and have better puck management, they're (Whitecourt) a skilled team, but I think we can get the puck and get the shots that will give us the wins.”
Muller echoed his coach's sentiments by saying he needed to be the guy to set the tone for the rest of the team as both one of the older players, and as the team's captain.
“I think I got away from my game tonight (Saturday), but I need to be the most physical player in the series, from both teams. I think I can set the tone for our team and back them (Whitecourt) off a bit.”
Game three took place in Whitecourt on Monday and game four takes place tonight. Results were unavailable at press time.
