Yaks Take a 4-1 Win in Drayton Valley

The Pontiacs played out their forth game in six days on the road in Drayton Valley, quieting the Thunder with a 4-1 win. Head Coach of the Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs, Rick Swan, was very impressed with the effort the squad is putting in as the close out the regular season.

“It’s tough after four hours on the road to get up to Drayton Valley and really put a solid 60 minute performance together,” Swan says he was pleased the team stuck to their structure and the game plan. The first period was a tough battle and ended scoreless, with just one penalty, for the Thunder, at near the end of play. The penalty would prove to be deadly 22 seconds into the second,  Bobby McMann  would open up the scoring, on the power play, from Brinson Pasichnuk and Kyler Hehn. Less than two minute later Hehn put the puck in from Ryan Piche and B. Pasichnuk. It was 3-0 Yaks at 9:49 after McMann came in unassisted. Drayton recorded their sole goal of the game before the close of the second, at 17:13, from Joseph Tambasco with Matt McNeil getting the assist.

NHL Scouts representing Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, and Edmonton Oilers were in the house, Coach Swan says it was the perfect time for McMann and B. Pasichnuk, “what a time to step up and show just how good they are. [The scouts were out] specifically watching those guys. It’s nice to see those guys getting recognition.”

Captain Steen Pasichnuk was out with injuries, which left the squad with only eleven forwards, which meant the team just worked a little harder, says Swan. “We had great goaltending in our four games that we played. We came up with an emotional victory on Saturday, against Sherwood Park. They seemed to have our number all season. Then to come from a four hour bus trip and play the way we did tonight, you can’t help to be proud of these guys.” B. Pasichnuk would come out with the only goal in the third, with assists going to Alden Dupuis and Gen Bryshun, to end the game with a 4-1 victory for the Pontiacs.

“Now we get some well-deserved time off,” Coach Swan says the squad will still be in full force practicing at the RJ for Fort Mac on Friday.  “We’ll be getting ready for two more tough games against Fort McMurray and we have Camrose in there too [before the end of the regular season].”

The guys understand that our game is best when we’re simple. When we stick to the framework of our structure, we’re a heck of a hockey team! – Rick Swan Head Coach Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs.

Pontiacs are back in action Friday night at the RJ LaLonde arena to take on the Fort McMurray Oil Barons – WIN tickets on LCN