Pontiacs fall short to Bandits

Loss a learning opportunity for the team

Associate Coach Larry Draper says that although a loss is never a good thing, there was something good that came of Friday’s 5-2 loss in Brooks to the Bandits. “We now know we can play against the likes of Brooks.”

At the post-game team meeting, Draper says the team discussed ways to get out of their own heads, “some of them were intimidated by Brooks; but realized, we’re just as good of a team, if not better than Brooks. Yesterday’s loss impacted them in a positive way. Every young man in that dressing room feels like they can play with the likes Brooks.”

1:31 into the game, Trygve Many Guns opened scoring from Luke Israel, and the Pontiacs were able to hold off 10 shots from the Bandits to close the period 0-1. The Bandits upped their shots in the second, putting up 27 shots to the Pontiacs’ 8. The Yaks battled hard but at the 15 minute mark, the Bandits’  Nathan Plessis broke through with the tying point. Three minutes later, Gen Bryshun broke the tie, from Jake Gresh, to close the period 2-1 for the Pontiacs.

The Pontiacs ruled the three, as far as shots were concern, 16-9; but it was Brooks who ruled the board.  Tyrell Mappin, Oliver Chau, and  Parker Foo (x2) put in goals to end the game with a 5-2 decision for the Bandits.

“We went around the room and each player talked about needing to play within the framework of our structure. When all else fails to go back to our structure,” Draper says each player identified that when things went wrong it was because they were straying from playing Pontiacs’ hockey.

The Pontiacs head to Drumheller tonight to take on the Dragons, “we’re going to play a heck of a game.” The team has called up affiliate, Brayden Goulet for tonight’s game, Draper says the Bonnyville native brings great skill with him, “he’s one of the best players Joe Young has there on the St. Paul Canadiens.”

Puck drops at 7:30 at the Drumheller Memorial Arena.