Players on the Pontiacs knew long in advance the back-to-back games against the Grande Prairie Storm this past weekend would be possibly the most important hockey of the season.
The Pontiacs went into last weekend on a four-game losing streak, had two of their most effective players, Tyler Henry and Dante Borrelli, knocked out of the lineup by cheap shots in the previous game against the Storm, and most importantly sat tied at 64 points with that dirty Storm squad.
Starting goalie Julien Laplante sat out Wednesday's game against Sherwood Park in preparation for the two much-anticipated games.
Players facing the Storm could not wait to hit the ice. Pontiacs out of the lineup with injuries or healthy scratches could hardly endure the agony of watching the games from the stands, unable to get their mitts on the Storm.
The desire to beat the Storm was palpable.
The build-up to Friday's game was tremendous.
And when the puck dropped no one, except for the Storm and their few fans at the game, was disappointed.
The Pontiacs demolished the Storm both nights, taking advantage of Grande Prairie's undisciplined and reckless play.
And when the Storm tried to intimidate with their goonish behaviour, none of the Pontiacs backed down.
With Friday's win wrapped up on Ryan Kearn's hat-trick goal, the Storm's antics continued. First-year Pontiac Redford Swan dropped the gloves and held his own against a larger Storm player, but during the fight, was viciously speared by a Storm player from the bench.
The medieval thrust only earned the player a double minor, while during the same melee Devon Kalinski received a fighting major and an instigator penalty for keeping his gloves on and hugging one of the Storm players.
With the officiating a little undermanned and questionable at times Friday, the league did something they don't often do; they added a second referee for Saturday's game.
But despite the dirty tactics displayed by the Storm the night before, the Pontiacs did not give in to the temptation to lay a beating on any one player in particular, rather they stuck to the game plan Saturday, going 5-10 on the power play and laying a beating on the Storm as a whole.
The Pontiacs are one of the best teams in the league when they focus and bear down.
It's wins like these against teams like this that can turn a season around fast.
Here's to hoping they did.
