Yaks Blanked by Barons

Pontiacs fall 2-0 to Oil Barons

The Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs failed to reach the back of the net on Sunday afternoon when the Fort McMurray Oil Barons came to town. “At this time of the year, the team that stays most patient to their structure is going to be the team that sees the most success,” Head Coach of the Bonnyville Pontiacs, Rick Swan says there were a few moments where the Pontiacs swayed from their structure and the Oil Barons took full advantage.

The mistakes came early in the game, says the coach, “two preventable mistakes and they capitalize.” 32 seconds into the game, Fort Macs’ Brandon Ralph put in an unassisted goal on the Pontiacs. The Oil Barons would gain a two-goal lead on the Yaks before the close of the first, with a goal from Matteo Aiello. The remainder of the game was scoreless and hard fought.

“The fact that we broke down early, they capitalized and that’s a reflection of what playoff hockey is all about,” with only a couple games left in the regular season, the coach says this is the time the team really needs to be at its finest. “We practice those scenarios all the time. [Those goals] should never happen, but we’re dealing with young men who are susceptible to reading things different.”

https://youtu.be/tdCAjU19txo

The Pontiacs have one final home game, then on the road for two, before heading into the AJHL playoffs. Catch the Yaks in action Tuesday at 7:30 pm at the RJ Lalonde arena. WIN tickets to the game on LCN!