The Bonnyville Pontiacs are one win away from advancing in Alberta Junior Hockey League playoffs after a very successful two-game homestand against the pesky Sherwood Park Crusaders to kick off what the Pontiacs hope will be a long and successful playoff run.
It wasn't easy as the Crusaders gave the Pontiacs all they could handle in game one Friday night, playing superb “road” hockey and jumping out to a 2-0 lead, before the determined Pontiacs stormed back to tie the game and win it only seconds into overtime for a dramatic 3-2 win.
The Pontiacs, who had their best regular season in history finishing third in the AJHL North Division, have quickly jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the sixth place Sherwood Park Crusaders.
The Pontiacs took game one by a score of 3-2 in overtime, and game two by a score of 5-2 Saturday evening.
The Pontiacs played game three Monday in Sherwood Park and will play game four tonight, also in Sherwood Park, if necessary.
Pontiacs head coach Chad Mercier said the game plan will likely stay the same.
“It's a tough place to play and the third one is the toughest to win,” he explained. “We know that we will have to be at our best to close the series out.”
Despite the difference in standings, the games were relatively close, especially game one.
After going down 2-0 to the Crusaders in the second period of Friday's game, the Pontiacs needed to regroup and get back to their game, and that they did.
Less than a minute after the Crusaders went up 2-0, Pontiacs forward Tyler Henry, in his first game back from injury, netted a nice goal off a great feed from linemate Matt Montesano.
Then, Pontiacs leading scorer Devon Kalinski took it upon himself to tie it up, dangling through two Crusader defencemen, then roofing it over a helpless Sherwood Park goaltender.
Overtime did not last long, as forward Ryan Kearns picked up a loose puck 15 seconds in and wired a shot past the Crusaders goalie for the win.
On Saturday the Pontiacs did all they could to avoid going down early.
Much of the first period was spent in the Crusaders zone and it was only a matter of time before the Pontiacs capitalized.
First it was Montesano, using a Dante Borrelli screen in front, who kicked off the scoring on a power play.
Then Kalinski was back at it, coming out from behind the net and roofing his second goal in as many games.
The Pontiacs cooled off a bit in the second, allowing the Crusaders to creep back into the game.
But by the start of the third, it was time for the Jake Towriss show. On his 20th birthday, the Pontiacs forward scored three-straight goals for the natural hat trick, helping his team to the victory and 2-0 series lead.
“Krank gave me a little early birthday present,” he said, referring to teammate Jordon Krankowsky's unselfish play to get Towriss the puck in the final minute, allowing him a shot at the empty net and hat trick.
Towriss said his team was going to enjoy the win that night, but get right back to work the next day.
“We're going to refocus at practice tomorrow and heading into game three we're just going to keep it simple, finish our checks and do what we have to do to be successful.”
Check out the Nouvelle's website Mar. 2 and throughout the postseason, for all the up-to-date news on the Pontiacs' playoff run.
