The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs started the week off strong with a shutout win at home, but couldn't capitalize when they hit the road.
Pontiacs shutout the Storm
Fans packed the R.J. Lalonde Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 12 to watch the Pontiacs sweep the Grande Prairie Storm 5-0.
The game marked their 39th win of the season, putting them in the position to surpass the franchise record of 40.
Head coach Rick Swan said, “We’ve got the chance to feel optimistic that we can accomplish something pretty special this year, and it starts with the (remaining) games to make sure we... are at our best in March.”
While it wasn’t their strongest start, it was Bonnyville who started the scoring off in the first frame. The point went to Grayson Constable, which brought him to a 10-game point streak.
“We didn’t have a great first period,” expressed Swan. “That’s one of the things we want to clean up in the next (few games) is to make sure that our preparation is heightened for whoever we play.”
Goalie Easton Hesse agreed.
“The first period was rough, but I think we answered the call that our coach challenged us to be better in the second and third. I thought we did a really good job of that.”
Less than five minutes into the second frame, Trey Thomas added another point to the home team’s lead.
“As the game progressed, we started getting harder on the puck, which was nice to see,” recalled forward Jaden York.
Marc-Antoine Benoit got one past the Storm’s goaltender, bringing the score to 3-0 before heading into the final period.
“I thought our bounce-back in the second stood out the most. It’s hard to get into the game when you have a slow start, but I think the guys answered well,” expressed Hesse.
Ending the night off on a high note with two of his own was Luke Albert.
The 5-0 victory marks Hesse’s fourth shutout of the season.
“They have a high explosive offensive team, they could hurt you, and he was able to shutout some very good hockey players,” Swan noted.
With the number of games remaining in the regular season shrinking, every matchup is crucial moving forward.
“It’s a pretty tight race in the league for all. It doesn’t matter who you’re going to play, you just want the two points. I think you’re preparing for every team the exact same way,” detailed York.
Pontiacs fall to Oil Barons twice
Their success was cut short when the Pontiacs faced two losses to the Fort McMurrary Oil Barons on the road.
Bonnyville fell 4-3 to the Oil Barons during their Friday, Feb. 15 game.
The only goal of the first period went to Pontiac Cayden Kraus, who capitalized on a powerplay.
During the second, the Oil Barons tied it up 1-1.
Trey Thomas found the back of the net shortly after, breaking the tie.
Fort McMurray scored twice more, giving them a 3-2 lead over Bonnyville heading into the third.
Less than 10 minutes into the final frame, Jeremy Gervais would get the Pontiacs' final point of the night, tying it up 3-3.
The Oil Barons' capitalized on a powerplay, solidifying their 4-3 victory.
The two teams met again on Family Day, but the outcome again wasn't in Bonnyville's favour as they lost 4-1 to Fort McMurray on Monday, Feb. 18.
The Pontiacs started off the scoring, with Matthew Monk getting the Pontiacs on the scoreboard less than three minutes into the first.
The rest of the period would go to the Oil Barons, who added three goals to bring their lead to 3-1.
The final point of the game would go to Fort McMurray in the second, bringing the score to 4-1.
After a stretch on the road, the Pontiacs will be back at home to face-off against the Spruce Grove Saints on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. at the R.J. Lalonde.
