Pontiacs burnt by Dragon’s Fire

The Bonnyville Pontiacs welcomed the Drumheller Dragons to the RJ Lalonde Arena Sunday afternoon. With the Dragons came former tea mate, Chad Hurtubise, who hadn’t stepped foot in the rink since being traded a few games into the season. It may be a trade to reflect on after Hurtubise put in two goals, one of which the game winner in overtime. The Dragons slayed the Pontiacs 4-3 in extra time.

Coach Rick Swan, of the Pontiacs, says the team will have to clean up their game to handle the four on four overtime format of the AJHL. “Especially when you take two penalties during the overtime period.” Mitchell Oliver ate up two minutes, followed by Ryan Symington, both for hooking, which would be enough for the Dragons to get the power play game winning in off former Pontiac player,  Chad Hurtubise.  “Discipline was the key factor, for our team.”

Jared Power from Luke Israel and Erik Donald opened the game with a goal at 1:55 in the first. It took Drumheller some time to answer back, at the 15:55 mark from Hurtubise to take the game in the second at one goal a piece.

Again, it was the Pontiacs with the first goal, Jake Gresh had a shortie from Alden Dupuis at 7:50, answered at 13:43 from the Dragon’s defenseman,  Andrew Kartusch.

The Pontiacs took 30 minutes in penalties from the second period alone. “Drumheller worked harder for the two points than we did; because of the penalties that we took.” Coach Swan says the work ethic was their for the visitors. “You can’t create momentum on your bench, when you can’t utilize your four lines, because you’re taking that many penalties.”

Blake Kleiner of the Drumheller Dragons opened the scoring in the third with the go-ahead goal to make it a 3-2 game. After a scuffle from Carter Rhine resulted in a five for fighting penalty, Isaac Saniga had to battle hard to get the tying, short handed goal, to force extra time.

“We have to learn from this, we’re not always going to have good nights,” the coach likes to look at an outcome as an opportunity to grow as a team and build the character necessary to be a successful organization.

Discipline will be the number one goal of the team as they head into a huge match Tuesday against Spruce Grove. The Saints will be in town for a 7:30 pm game. WIN tickets on LCN!