After splitting a home-and-home series with the Sherwood Park Crusaders last week, the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs received a rough ride in the standings, falling to fourth in the AJHL's North Division, after being passed by the Lloydminster Bobcats over the weekend.
The Pontiacs beat the Crusaders 5-1 in Bonnyville on Nov. 23, before losing 3-2 Friday in Sherwood Park. Bonnyville now sits tied with the Crusaders for fourth in the division with 41 points, 11 back of the league-leading Spruce Grove Saints, as teams pass the halfway point of the 60-game regular season.
Bonnyville's powerplay, as it has been all season, was hot at home and cold on the road in the two games against Sherwood Park.
The Pontiacs scored four powerplay goals in the second period of Wednesday's win over the Crusaders, receiving goals from Kevin Carthy, Ryan Kearns, Jackson Dudley, Blake Leask and Max Collins, who scored the Pontiacs fifth goal of the game at even strength in the third period.
Kearns and Leask both added three assists for four-point nights, while Dudley and Carthy each added an assist.
Curtis Honey made 29 saves, for his 10th win of the season.
It was a different story in Sherwood Park Friday, as the Pontiacs found themselves down 2-0 in the second period, before mounting a valiant comeback, then falling short after failing to convert on two late powerplays.
The Pontiacs converted on one powerplay early in the third period of Friday's game, on a goal from Tanner Dusyk — his 11th goal of the year and team-leading 27th point — cutting the lead to 2-1.
The Pontiacs then gave up a powerplay goal in the middle of the frame, before Kearns netted an even-strength goal, his 11th on the season and 26th point, to bring the deficit back to one.
Bonnvyille had two chances in the final minutes of the game,as the Crusaders found themselves in penalty trouble, but Crusaders goalie Patrick Terriss stood tall, stopping 32 of 34 shots for the win.
Leask made his return to the Pontiacs lineup in Wednesday's game. The team's injury woes continued, however, as Max Collins filled the vacancy on the injured list, after taking a questionable hit in that same Nov. 23 game.
The Pontiacs return to action tonight (Tuesday), as the R. J. Lalonde plays host to the Spruce Grove Saints.
The Pontiacs have only played the Saints once this season, losing 3-0 on Nov. 19 in Spruce Grove.
The Pontiacs will travel to Camrose to take on the Kodiaks Friday, before making a stop in St. Albert Sunday for a matchup with the Steel.
