Pontiacs calm Storm 4-2

Yaks out shoot visiting Grande Prairie 44-19

The Bonnyville Jr  A Pontiacs opened up at the RJ Lalonde Arena, on Friday evening. The rink was explosive, with a home crowd hungry, from not seeing a win at home since November. Head coach of the Pontiacs, Rick Swan says the boys really fed off the energy as they took Grande Prairie 4-2.

“We played a great, structured game. We had some turn-overs that cost us and allowed them to get back into the game; but 44-19 in shots, you should be able to win in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL),” Coach Swan says overall he was pleased with the squad’s commitment to take the two points.

After a scoreless first period, the Storm opened up scoring, early in the second with a goal from Parker Smyth at 1:24, on the power play.  Towering 6’2″ centreman, Dylan Stewart responded at 13:36 for the Pontiacs; also on the power play, with Derek Brown picking up the helper. Another power play goal would advance the Yaks, with 55 seconds left in the second, from  Brandon Whistle, with assists to Alden Dupuis and Gen Bryshun.

“You have to be prepared to earn everything that you get,” Coach Swan explains the game could’ve went either way for a few moments there. Especially, after the Storm tied it up 5:33 in the third, with an unassisted goal from,  Cameron Macphee. “There was some frustration and chippiness going on out there,” says the coach.  Gen Bryshun was able to get the club back on track, at the 7:50 mark in the third, with a goal from Alden Dupuis and Charlie Gawlicki. Just to be safe, PJ Marrocco popped in the two goal lead from Luke Israel and new acquire Tyler Podgorenko, to close the game 4-2 for the Pontiacs.

Unfortunately, the win did not come without it’s downfalls. Fan favourite, #10, Ryan Piche took a blindsided hit that had him leave the ice early. “No question, that we’re getting Ryan checked out, for safety and precautionary issues” Coach assures fans that Piche is receiving medical attention and will be given an all clear before returning to the ice. “Any time that you allow hitting in a game to occur, where a player’s unable to protect himself; because he’s nowhere near the puck… and that was a right call in my mind. It was a five minute major and a blindsided hit, [the ref] got the call right. Those types of hits can cause serious damage.” LCN will keep you updated on Piche’s condition, according to the Pontiacs’ website, he has not been put on the injured list, at the time of this publication.

The Pontiacs will have another go at the Storm, Saturday at the RJ Lalonde Arena. WIN tickets to home Yaks’ games on LCN!