Pontiacs Score a Huge Win Over Calgary

The Bonnyville Pontaics rode the momentum of the home crowd Saturday night at the RJ Lalonde arena to a huge 8-0 win over the Calgary Canucks. Head Coach Rick Swan says the team focusing on the systems, put in place by the coaching staff, is evident in the success seen on Saturday.

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The Pontiacs opened up the scoring in first with a goal from #7 Carter Rhine (3:28). Rhine was moved up to forward, an executive decision made by the coaching staff, and has seen success in the last two games, with goals in both. November 14th goal came from the ease of playing with the new line mates, Derek Brown and Charlie Gawlicki, says Rhine.

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The Ponitacs popped in two more goals before the end of the first, at 15:33 from Bobby McMann and a power play goal at 18:13 from Brandon Whistle. There were seven different goal scorers in the evening, which is another indicator of the Pontiacs’ success, says Coach Swan. “Seven different goal scorers, with assists on every goal, means we’re sticking to our norms and being an active puck team,” explains Swan.

In the second, #29 Brinson Pasichnuk lit the board at 5:23 with line mates #19 Chad Hurtubise and #45 Garrett Jenkins picking up the apples. Another power play was scored at 13:56 by #26 Kyler Hehn and Hurtubise picked up another point in the game with his first goal of two right before the close of the second at 19:34.

It was #4 Gen Bryshun with the first goal of the third, Brown and McMann picked up the assists at 12:27. Hurtubise’s second goal of the evening served as the last goal of the game at 17:56. Gawlicki picked up his second point of the evening with the assist, along with Erik Donald.

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The Pontiacs will meet Whitecourt on Tuesday, the Wolverines third in the north, Coach Swan says it doesn’t matter which team they’ll be meeting, “all the games are important.” Swan explains the Pontiacs will have to come out of the gate fighting, “those games are critical early on. Especially, us knowing that the majority of our games are played before Christmas. We’re going to have our work cut out for us.”

The Pontiacs have had numerous valuable veterans on the injured list lately. Top point-getter, McMann just re-joined the line-up on the weekend. Ryan Piche, who sat out the entire season up-until last weekend, was put back on the injured list with a lower-body injury that is listed as day-to-day. Captain Steen Pasichnuk, who is healing from an upper-body injury, is hoping to get back on the ice for the weekend. Zach Mills and Josh Borynec are also on the injured listed. Coach Swan says the team has had to adjust some of the line, which allows the young guys more playing time.

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One of the adjustments the coaching staff made was moving Rhine from defense to forward. Rhine says in his entire career he had never played forward, but was up for the challenge. “Last time I was forward, I was probably a Novice,” says Rhine with a smile, “it’s been a while.” The biggest adjustment for Rhine was positioning, says the 18 year old.

 

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The Pontiacs meet the Wolverines 7:30 pm, Tuesday, November 17th  at the RJ Lalonde- WIN Tickets on LCN

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