Over 1,750 people watched the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs pick up three out of a possible four points on the weekend against the visiting Grande Prairie Storm.
The two teams, who sat four points a part entering play Friday night, put on back-to-back entertaining games for the fans with Grande Prairie taking the first game 4-3 in a shootout and Bonnyville winning the second game 4-0.
Bonnyville's offense was on fire over the weekend as the team pummeled Storm goaltender Nick Kulmaonvsky with 100 shots over the two games.
Friday night saw the Pontiacs jump out to a 3-1 first period lead on goals by Spencer Foo, Kyler Hehn and Bobby McMann.
A defensive lapse, combined with a couple bad penalties near the end of the second let the Storm back into the game. Two goals exactly one minute apart in the final three minutes of the period tied the game heading into the third.
Chase Thudium, Grande Prairie's fourth shooter, beat goaltender Josh Erickson in the shootout to cap off an improbable win for the Storm, who were out shot 57-24 on the night.
“It's difficult to dissect a 57 shot performance by us where we only score three goals,” said Pontiacs Head Coach and GM Rick Swan. “We felt that their goaltender, who was the best goaltender in our league last year, was their best player on the ice tonight. We know we need to make some adjustments offensively so we have an opportunity to create more chaos at their net front.”
The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday night when the Pontiacs hosted over 200 military personnel and their families from 4 Wing Cold Lake for the team's annual tribute game.
“It is the first time we have had this connection with the club and it was great,” said Lt. ‘Duff' Gowanlock, acting Wing Commander for the night. “Having the military community intergrading with the local community in Cold Lake and Bonnyville, the Lakeland, is so important.”
Bonnyville, who suited up in special camouflage jerseys, entered the ice through a military protective arch, to the tunes of a “super piper” and then were treated to the playing of “O Canada” by the military band.
“I think (the jerseys) are awesome,” said Pontiacs captain Locke Muller. “It was a wonderful night and it is something I will remember forever.”
Hometown boy Steenn Pasichnuk got the packed crowd fired up right off the hop dropping the gloves with Grande Prairie's Toby Shattler just 24 seconds into the game.
The crowd's excitement seemed to energize the Pontiacs who took control of the period and the game early on.
Jackson Dudley tickled the twine twice in the first period for his 17th and 18th goals of the season and the Pontiacs took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
It didn't take long for Bonnyville to add to their lead, as defenseman Ryan Black stuffed the puck past Kulmanovsky 1:49 into the second period.
Wyatt Noskey found the back of the net at 9:12 of the period, giving the Pontiacs a commanding four-goal lead halfway through the game.
Black said the crowd and the excitement surrounding the game really had the team pumped up.
“We had (this date) circled on our calendars. We have been looking forward to going out and supporting the men and women in the military,” said Black.
Grande Prairie got into penalty trouble as the game went on, allowing the Pontiacs to pin them deep in their zone for most of the period.
Bonnyville's powerplay struggled going 0-for-9 on night but it wasn't needed as the team cruised to a 4-0 victory.
“It was a fabulous game. Certainly, they outdid themselves and the reception for the members of 4 Wing was outstanding. It was a real pleasure. We had over 200 people (from 4 Wing) here tonight. Members and families and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely,” said Gowanlock.
The three points over the weekend allowed the Pontiacs to pull within a single point of the fifth place Whitecourt Wolverines and five points ahead of seventh place Grande Prairie.
The Pontiacs will travel to Fort McMurray for a game against the Oil Barons on Jan. 28 before returning home to host the defending Jr. A Champion Brooks Bandits on Feb. 1.
