The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs played three games in two and a half days between Friday night and Sunday afternoon. They travelled to Brooks Friday, winning 5-1. Then they faced Okotoks Saturday, losing the hard-fought battle 3-2. And on Sunday the Pontiacs made a stop in Canmore, where they made a dramatic comeback, down two goals in the third, to win the game 5-4.
In Brooks the Pontiacs were not at their best, but they were effective when they got their chances. The Pontiacs could only muster 19 shots to Brooks' 28, but were able to capitalize on their opportunities, while their goalie Julien Laplante was his typical self, stopping all but one shot. Bonnyville was also able to kill off all 11 penalties they received.
Saturday's game against the Oilers was a different story. The Pontiacs arguably played their best hockey of the weekend that night, but it was the Oilers who were able to get the timely scoring they needed. Bonnyville opened the scoring on the power play, and scored another one on the man advantage in the second. But Okotoks was able to tie it up and then put in a goal late in the third for the win.
After two tough games, the Pontiacs did not have much time to rest as they were back on the ice Sunday afternoon, this time in Canmore. From a fan's point of view this was arguably the most exciting game of the weekend.
The Pontiacs found themselves down 3-1 after the first period, giving up two power play goals in the process. Both teams notched a goal in the second, making it 4-2 for Canmore heading into the third.
Playing hard all game, Pontiacs forward Devon Kalinski started the comeback by scoring on the power play 11 minutes into the third. Down by only one, with the goalie pulled and just over a minute left, the Pontiacs were able to tie it up. Blake Leask fed a nice pass to Jordon Krankowsky, who wired the one-timer by the Canmore keeper.
With 15 seconds to go, overtime seemed immanent, until a scramble around the Canmore net. With Pontiacs players jamming at the puck, a Canmore defenceman pushed his net off the moorings. The ref immediately blew his whistle, calling the player for intentional delay of game. However, with it being in the final three minutes of play, the ref awarded Bonnyville a penalty shot.
The Pontiacs speedy forward Dante Borrelli was picked to take the shot. He skated straight in and without hesitation fired a shot passed Canmore's goaltender, for a dramatic and timely winning goal.
Pontiacs Notes
The Pontiacs will now head to Lloydminster to face the Bobcats Wednesday. Bonnyville will look to tie the season series at two games a-piece.
With two wins on the weekend, Bonnyville remains in sole possession of third place in the division, with 33 points, four behind the league-leading Spruce Grove Saints.
One of the team's leading scorers, forward Tyler Henry, missed Sunday's game after taking a shot to the head Saturday.
Captain Michael Westfall returned to the lineup Friday after being out with a shoulder injury.
