Marrocco Records First Hat Trick of the Season

Bonnyville Pontiacs defeat the Fort McMurray Oil Barons 5-2

The Jr A Pontiacs have had their revenge on the Fort McMurray Oil Barons with a win at the RJ. The Yaks, who had lost two in a row to the Barons in the pre-season, took it when it matter and beat the visiting team in front of the home crowd Tuesday evening. Head Coach Rick Swan says the game was won thanks to some great plays early in the game.

“We did a lot of good things early on,” the Pontiacs opening the scoring early at 5:02 in the first from  PJ Marrocco, be prepared you’ll see that name a lot. The assists went to Jake Gresh and Charlie Gawlicki. The Pontiacs put up a shorty, from Alden Dupuis with Derek Brown on the assist, before the end of the period at 17:19, while  Ryan Piche was sitting in the bad boy box for holding. Just to make sure there was a healthy lead,  PJ Marrocco popped on in at 19:02 to close the period with his friends Gawlicki and Jared Power helping out.

It started with just a solid team effort! – PJ Marrocco #25 Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs

Marrocco appeared again early in the second, this time helping out Brandon Whistle making it a 4-0 game. Brown also recorded a point for the execution of the fourth Pontiac goal. “It’s human nature to let off when you’re doing so well,” Coach Swan says heading into the second the Pontiacs’ confidence got the better of them. “We allowed Fort McMurray to come back hard on us.” Fort McMurray answered back at 12:16 with a goal from Liam Izyk from Damon Porter. “I think the lesson here is it’s a 6o minute game; you have to play 60 minutes of hockey in the Alberta Junior Hockey League,” explains Coach Swan.

Our good buddy,  Marrocco would send hats flying at the RJ with his third goal of the night in the third. The power play goal, at 5:57, from Jake Gresh and Evan Katelnikoff, came while Fort McMurray’s  Jordan Steenbergen was cooling off for Roughing After The Whistle. Marrocco would be noticed one more time before the game was over when he was caught giving a good ol’ slash to an Oil Baron and sent to reflect on his actions in the box. While in there, Fort Mac was able to put up the final goal of the game, at 13:28 from Taner Miller with the assists going to Brandon Ralph and Jordan Steenbergen.

We always knew PJ was a high character kid. That’s the individuals we want to attach to our organization. – Rick Swan Head Coach Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs

“Both teams learned from this. I certainly think that when things go well, we have to find ways to keep that momentum and not get complacent,” Coach Swan says he never likes to dissect the win, but there are some areas for improvement.

You’ve got to skate hard & compete! If you’re not competing in this league, nothing’s going to happen. That’s my goal, come to rink, same mindset, compete & battle. – PJ Marrocco #25 Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs

The team will welcome the Spruce Grove Saints tonight at the RJ Lalonde Arena, puck drop is 7:30 pm. LCN will have live interviews and coverage throughout the game thanks to our live sponsors, NCSG Scorpion Industries and Ducharme Motors; Driving LCN Everywhere!