Shoot out at the RJ Lalonde ends in Whitecourt victory

The Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs have fallen short to the Whitecourt Wolverines for the second time in a week, with a 4-3 shout out decision. Head Coach of the Pontiacs, Rick Swan, says it was a well played game that the team battled hard for the victory, they just didn’t prevail.

“I can’t imagine there’s anyone walking away from that game thinking they didn’t get their money’s worth. It was a good game, between two good teams,” says the coach. The Wolverines opened up the game with an unassisted goal at the 3:42 mark of the first period, from Liam Motley. Although the period remained scoreless for the remaining sixteen minutes, the period was fast and intense.

The Yaks answered at 6:01 in the second with a goal from veteran, Charlie Gawlicki with the assists going to newbies, PJ Marrocco and Brendan Holterhus. The Pontiac go-ahead goal came three minutes later when Marrocco popped on in from vets Erik Donald and Derek Brown; leaving the second period 2-1 lead in favour of Bonnyville.

“There was lots of offense and spectacular defensive plays. There was some passion going back and forth [between the two teams]. Great penalty kill, three on three… the game really had it all,” smiles Coach Swan, whose philosophy has always been to learn from a loss. The coach saw a lot of opportunities to learn and a lot of growth on the ice.

Wolverines fired back 4:06 into the third from  Stevie Bryant. Followed by a quick goal from Mitchell Oliver with the assists to Isaac Saniga and Brown. The Wolverines managed to force a shoot out at 15:20 with a goal from Noah Tooke.

“The effort was there and I’m okay as a coach if we put in efforts like that. If we do that every single night we’re going to be on the right side of the success.” Coach Swan says the team will be honouring the soldiers on Remembrance Day Friday, then back in action Saturday at the RJ.

The Calgary Mustangs are in town for a 7:30 pm game Saturday and the Drumheller Dragons for an afternoon game Sunday at 2:00 pm. WIN tickets to home Pontiacs games on LCN!