There is a fine line in hockey between winning and losing and the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs walked that line all night in game one against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.
The Pontiacs controlled the play most of the game and did almost everything right in game one of their Alberta Junior Hockey League series opener Sunday evening against Fort McMurray, according to head coach and GM Chad Mercier.
But a little bit of bad luck and bad timing knocked the Pontiacs off the wrong side of that fine line, as they managed to push the tempo and control the game, sending it to overtime, before giving up a goal in the blink of an eye to lose a 4-3 heartbreaker.
After going down 1-0 to the Oil Barons Sunday, the Pontiacs were right back at it Monday night, looking for a series split before heading back to Bonnyville for game three Wednesday.
The Pontiacs have been one of the top teams on the road all year and proved it once again in front of a packed house Sunday in Fort McMurray.
Bonnyville came out flying, posting 15 shots in the first period. But it's not shots on net that count, but goals and the Pontiacs found themselves playing catch-up all night.
Mercier felt his team outplayed the Oil Barons for much of the game, but that mental errors were crucial in the loss.
But he said they will not dwell on it.
“It's one game and it takes four to win a series. We expect a strong response from our guys.”
Look for results of Monday's game on the Nouvelle's website.
The Pontiacs will return to the friendly confines of the R.J. Lalonde Arena Wednesday, where they hope to play in front of a packed and boisterous crowd of their own.
“It makes for a great atmosphere,” said Mercier. “The support has been great all year, and if game one was any indication it will be tremendous hockey.”
Game four goes Thursday night at the R.J. Lalonde.
Both games will begin at 7 p.m.
Mercier said he expects large and vocal crowds in Bonnyville.
Tickets for games three and four are available by calling the Pontiacs office at 780-812-3400, or you can pick them up in person at the Centennial Centre.
