For the third post season in a row the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs will face off against the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the opening round of the 2011-12 Alberta Junior Hockey League playoffs.
The fifth place Pontiacs have swept the fourth place Crusaders out of the playoffs in the past two seasons and look to continue the tradition again this year, when the series gets underway with game one in Sherwood Park Saturday Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
However, the road the Pontiacs took heading into the post season was a rough one, as the team is in the midst of a five-game losing streak and has lost nine of its past 10 games overall.
The most pressing issue seems to be scoring, as Bonnyville has only managed more than two goals in a game twice over the past 14 contests.
Despite the Pontiacs woes of late, the team will be going up against a streaky Crusaders squad that has only picked up four wins over its past eight games.
Head-to-head this season, Bonnyville and Sherwood Park have matched up fairly evenly, with each team posting a 3-2-1 record.
Although it may be a toss up who the eventual series winner will be, one thing is nearly certain, the referees will be busy. During the six regular season games the Pontiacs and Crusaders racked up almost 300 minutes in penalties.
Game 1: in Sherwood Park at 7 p.m.
Game 2: in Sherwood Park at 7 p.m.
Game 3: in Bonnyville at 7 p.m.
*Game 4: in Bonnyville at 7 p.m.
*Game 5: in Sherwood Park at 7 p.m.
*if necessary
