The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs took their show on the road to Spruce Grove for the Annual AJHL Showcase weekend. The Pontiacs played a game versus the Drumheller Dragons Friday and the Okotoks Oilers Saturday. The Pontiacs won both games, 2-1 and 8-1 respectively, increasing their winning streak to seven games.
Pontiacs head coach and GM Chad Mercier said Friday's game against Drumheller was not his team's best effort, but strong goaltending and timely scoring allowed them to get the win. “Typical of what (a) showcase weekend sometimes brings, I thought there was a lot of individual play in our game…but it's a good sign when it's not your best team effort but you can still find a way to win it,” Mercier explains.
Key to the victory Friday was Pontiacs goalie Julien Laplante. He faced 32 shots from Drumheller and stopped 31 of them, including an onslaught of 14 in the second period, keeping his team within one heading into the third.
With five minutes left in regulation time Blake Leask was able to put one by the Dragons goaltender to tie the game up and send it to overtime. Then, only two minutes into overtime, Dante Borrelli scored the winner to complete the comeback and win.
In Bonnyville's second game of the weekend they faced Okotoks. The Pontiacs got off to a big start, scoring five times in the first period and not allowing a goal. They did not look back from there. Laplante stood tall again, stopping 27 or 28 shots and the offence came up huge, scoring a total of eight goals. Devon Kalinski and Matt Montesano both scored twice and added three assists, for five-point nights, while Marc-Antoine Juneau chipped in with four assists. Mercier said his team responded with a much stronger team effort against Okotoks and were rewarded for it.
The AJHL showcase weekend is a chance for all 16 AJHL teams to play two games in front of several hundred scouts, coaches and college recruiters. “It's tremendous, there is a ton of NHL scouts there…the exposure's great,” Mercier said of the event. But he added that the exposure could sometimes lead to more individual play, which he saw from his team in Friday's game. Though overall he said the event is great for players and the league.
Westfall returns to lineup
Returning for Saturday's game was Pontiacs captain Michael Westfall. Westfall took a hit to the head Sept. 25 and was out for a week. He received full medical clearance Friday and was re-inserted in the lineup Saturday against Okotoks. Mercier said, “You don't rush these sorts of things…He is a big part of our hockey club and it's a positive having him back.”
Seven game winning streak, Henry player of the week
With the two wins during the Showcase weekend the Pontiacs increased their winning streak to seven games. Mercier said it's a nice “feather in the cap,” but that the team has a lot of work to do to keep it going.
He said their strong play begins with the strong play of Laplante, who has given a solid performance during each of his past seven games. Laplante's play has Bonnyville tied for the league lead in fewest goals allowed at 17.
Another big contributor to the Pontiacs' success so far this season has been the great play of Tyler Henry. Henry received player of the week honours for his three goal, two assist and one shootout goal performance for the week ending Sept. 26.
Mercier said that his forward had an up and down year, last year, by his standards. But added, “He has really come out this year, led our hockey team and done a tremendous job.” Mercier went on to say that although Henry is being recognized for his offensive contributions it has been his great play away from the puck that has afforded him the offensive opportunities.
With a hot goalie and a top player in the Pontiacs lineup, the team is looking good to keep the streak alive heading into this week's games. The Pontiacs hit the road for a game in Drayton Valley Tuesday and Grand Prairie Wednesday, before returning home to face Drumheller Saturday. Mercier said his team is doing well, but they are not where they want to be yet. “It's about getting our level to where we can get it to, the rest will take care of itself.”
