It was essentially the start any team would be looking for, as the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs started the 2011-12 regular season with two wins over the rival Lloydminster Bobcats.
Bonnyville kicked off the season with a 4-3 win in overtime this past Friday in Lloydminister. The Pontiacs reeled off another dramatic win the very next night, this time hanging on for the 5-4 win before a large crowd at the R.J. Lalonde Arena in Bonnyville.
Fourth-year Pontiac Jordon Krankowsky said this was the type of start the team was working so hard for coming out of camp.
“It's really important. It really sets the tone for how our season is going to go. We really stressed hard the last two weeks in camp that when we come out, we want to come out firing, and I guess we did, picking up the four points.”
Friday's game in Lloydminster was a back and forth affair, with the Bobcats getting out to an early 1-0 lead, before Bonnyville stormed back with three straight goals from Kevin Carthy, Ryan Kearns and Levi Ansell.
The Bobcats did not relent, however, netting two quick ones early in the third period and eventually sending the game to overtime.
Pontiacs sophomore forward Ty Carey played the hero on opening night as he scored the winner three minutes into the extra frame.
The Pontiacs seemed to carry the momentum from Friday's win back to Bonnyville as they kicked off the home opener in fine fashion, scoring three goals in the first period.
They included the first goal of the contest as veteran leader Carthy scored on a penalty shot halfway through the frame. Carthy made an excellent move on the Bobcats' goaltender and had an empty net to shoot at.
The second and third goals scored by the Pontiacs came from Dante Borrelli, who is sharing the team captaincy with Carthy this season.
The Bobcats netted one of their own in the first, but Pontiacs forward Tommy Barszcz responded on the power play halfway through the second period, making it 4-1 heading into the third.
Lloydminister scored early in the third on a power play draw to within two goals, but Jackson Dudley netted the eventual game winner a couple of minutes later to give the Pontiacs a seemingly insurmountable 5-2 lead.
To their credit, the Bobcats didn't give up and made things very interesting scoring two goals in rapid succession, including a shorthanded marker, to draw to within a goal.
The Pontiacs managed to hang on for the 5-4 victory and perfect start to the season.
Despite the great start Saturday, the Pontiacs seemed to let up at times, according to head coach and general manager Chad Mercier, allowing Lloydminster to get back in the game in the third.
“We have the game in control again – and it's still early in the season – but our guys have to learn and understand the importance of doing some of the little things,” said Mercier. “ (The Bobcats) bring pressure, they are a tough team, but when we turn pucks over they put the puck in the net.
“We've got to do a better job in those areas, and I know our players have the ability to. We will stay on top of it. These are great lessons to learn, especially early on.”
Making some of his biggest saves of the night late in the third period, Pontiacs 20-year-old goalie Dylan Wells, who hails from Nashville Tennessee, closed the door on any Bobcats' attempts to complete the comeback.
Wells made 19 saves Friday and 26 Saturday to pick up his first two wins in a Pontiacs' uniform.
Mercier said these two wins were important, but he does not want to look too far ahead.
“These are points in December or February you can't get back, so they are important, but there is also the big picture. This is a very tight league and a long season and we still have a lot of work to do.”
Borrelli echoed his coach's thoughts following Saturday's win.
“There is always stuff to work on, for both the young guys and the veterans. And the coaches stay on us, so we're learning quickly,” he said. “We just have to stick with our game, outwork the opponent, and we will bury teams.”
Bonnyville's next game goes Sept. 16 in Drayton Valley. The Pontiacs return home this Sunday (Sept. 18) to face the Calgary Mustangs. Puck drop is 2:30 p.m. at the R.J. Lalonde Arena.
