The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs have proven once again they’re a force to be reckoned with.
After three straight wins last week, they’ve claimed their place at the top of the north division with 44 points.
“It feels great. I definitely think we deserve to be there with all of the hard work our guys have put in. It’s something that we can’t take for granted, we have some big games coming up... We’re not going to take any opposition lightly,” expressed assistant coach T.J. Millar.
A six-point week is what has put them on top, after defeating Camrose, Sherwood Park, and Lloydminster.
Clawing the Kodiaks
The Pontiacs showed no mercy during their home game against the Camrose Kodiaks on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
They defeated the Kodiaks 6-1.
Starting off the scoring was the visiting team, who found the back of the net with less than five minutes left in the first.
Sneaking one of their own in past the Kodiak goaltender, the Pontiacs tied up the game at 18:31 with a goal from Marc-Antoine Benoit.
The home team broke the tie mid-way through the second, with Trey Thomas adding his name to the scoresheet.
The Pontiacs landed four goals in the final 20 minutes. First to add to their lead was Luke Albert, followed by Benoit with his second of the night, and Thomson also adding to the scoreboard.
Daine Dubois ended the game with a goal of his own.
Joel Ray plans his next move.
Conquering the Crusaders
The Pontiacs were down a strong line-up in their game against the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Friday, Nov. 23, but they didn’t let that stop them from claiming a 5-1 victory.
“In the Sherwood Park game, we were down Dubois, Isaac Saniga, and Grayson Constable... Those are three massive parts to the lineup. We had local boy Austin Saint come and affiliate for us against Sherwood Park, and we had to move a defenseman up... A lot of odds were going against us in terms of lineup, but it was just a phenomenal effort,” detailed assistant coach Neil Langridge.
Even at a disadvantage, the Pontiacs proved if they stuck to their training, they could capitalize.
Pontiac Sean Thomson started off the scoring on a powerplay.
During their own one-man advantage, the Crusaders tied the game.
Less than five minutes later, Pontiac Cayden Kraus brought the score up 2-1.
Another Pontiac would score with less than one-minute left in the frame. Thomson added his name to the scoresheet.
Lucas Thorne capitalized on a powerplay in the second, bringing their lead up 4-1.
Thomas would land an empty-net goal with less than five minutes left in the game.
“We just stuck to the game plan, especially against Sherwood Park... I don’t think they were expecting the performance that we had, but that’s definitely a favour to us,” said Millar.
Pontiacs tame the Bobcats
The Pontiacs added to their list of wins after defeating the Lloydminster Bobcats 4-1.
On Saturday, Nov. 24, they clawed their way to victory during their second away game of the week.
After a scoreless 20 minutes, Thorne was first to slip one past the goalie mid-way through the second.
He added to the Pontiacs lead just minutes later, giving the team a two-point advantage heading into the final frame.
Thomas scored an unassisted goal less than four minutes into the third, with Pontiac Jaden York adding his name to the scoresheet.
With less than seven minutes left on the clock, the Bobcats scored their only goal of the night.
“We started a little bit slow (against Lloydminster), but we rebounded and got a lot of shots on net... and we were successful,” detailed Millar.
After capitalizing against every opponent they faced, the Pontiacs have found themselves once again at the top of the north division.
However, Langridge said when you’re number one in the north, you have a target on you’re back, because every team wants to be the one “who takes you out of the top of the standings.”
This is the first time in the last 27 years the Pontiacs have held this position at this point in the season.
“This is exactly what, as a staff, we built this team to do, which is be successful and give them the chance to win every night,” Langridge expressed. “It’s good to see the results coming. It’s almost half-way through the year, but it’s where we wanted to be.”
He added, he was impressed with the team’s success.
“We were playing the Pontiac way, our way, and not letting the other teams dictate our play. That was great to see.”
Now, they will focus on staying healthy as they get ready for their next match-up. They will host the Lloydminster Bobcats on Wednesday, Nov. 28, followed by another home game against the Calgary Canucks on Friday, Nov. 30.
