The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs have dropped to two games below .500 after losing 6-4 to the Whitecourt Wolverines and 4-2 to the Drayton Valley Thunder on the weekend.
The Pontiacs have been struggling defensively of late allowing 15 goals in their past three games, something that head coach Rick Swan hopes to improve.
"Our play away from the puck has to be more disciplined. In our defensive zone coverage we have to be not so puck focused," said Swan. "We have to ensure that we sort it out in our defensive zone and we have to make sure we have our guy."
The Pontiacs had a good start on Friday night at home against Whitecourt controlling most of the play for the first ten minutes of the game. The game turned when former Pontiac Mitch Owsley followed up on his own rebound and beat goaltender Stephen Klein at 8:53 to give Whitecourt the 1-0 lead on just their third shot of the game.
The Wolverines jumped out to a two-goal lead at 11:14 when Trace Elson, the teams leading scorer, snipped a wrist shot over the right should of Klein.
Bonnyville got one back in the final minutes of the period when Luke Mauhra knocked down a point shot, went in on a shorthanded breakaway and beat Wolverines net minder Tanner Kovacs five-hole.
The Pontiacs started the second period down 2-1 and that was as close as they would get to Whitecourt. The Wolverines added to their lead at 8:43 with Elson's 13th goal of the season and then again at 10:11 with Ryan Berlin's 14th goal of the year. Halfway through the second the Wolverines were up 4-1.
"There were a few mental breakdowns and few defensive breakdowns that they capitalized on," said Rick Swan. "With a good team like this it is difficult to give them those opportunities and expect to get the result you want."
Bonnyville got a goal back on the power play at 12:53 when Spencer Foo converted on a great pass from Tyler Hehn. The goal was Foo's 11th of the season and his fifth in his last three games.
The teams traded goals in the final few minutes of the period with Brody Nielsen scoring for Whitecourt and Wyatt Noskey for the Pontiacs. Bonnyville was down 5-3 after two periods.
"I think our communication needs to get better," said Pontiacs captain Locke Muller. "We are not vocal enough sorting it out in the defensive zone. I think just simplify things; finding your man, playing your man and just being hard in the defensive zone."
In the third they weren't able to hold off Whitecourt for long as Even Switzer beat Klein five-hole seven minutes into the period to restore the Wolverines three goal lead.
Bonnyville didn't give up, throwing 20 shots on net in the period. Foo's 12th goal of the season made the game 6-4 and that was as close as they would get.
"On the offensive side of the puck we are doing fine. It is just our defensive zone. With six goals against you are not going to win many games," said Muller.
"We need to sharpen up our defensive coverage and we just need to stick with it. We are coming along in some areas. Our offensive side of the puck, our physicality, our compete, we are coming along with that. We just need to stay with it and keep working and we will get back on track."
Swan said the defensive mistakes cost the Pontiacs a winnable game, which saw them score four goals on 45 shots.
"You can teach anybody to play defense. They just have to be prepared and committed to work hard and our guys are learning that," said Swan. "They are learning that in this league, at this level if you aren't committed to your defensive zone and know that a great shift is no goals against then you will get results like we did."
Bonnyville traveled to Drayton Valley on Saturday night losing 4-2 to the Thunder and getting out shot 48-18 in the process.
Foo scored his 13th of the season and eighth goal in his last five games.
The loss drops the Pontiacs to 8-10-1 on the season. The next game is Oct. 31 in Lloydminster. Bonnyville is back at home on Nov. 1 to battle Spruce Grove.
