Pontiacs Take a Series Split against Fort Mac

Bonnyville loses 5-1 in game 2

After a double overtime thriller, the Pontiacs and Oil Barons were right back at it on Sunday night. The Pontiacs had secured a series split with their overtime win, and looked for a 2-0 series lead in the second game up in Fort McMurray.

The early going was not in Bonnyville’s favour. JC Thivierge scored the opening goal of the game for the Oil Barons. Nine minutes later the Oil Barons struck again. Shane Fraser picked up a powerplay marker to make it 2-0 Fort McMurray. That is the way things stayed heading into the locker rooms.

“I think we gotta get in the shooting lanes and block a couple more shots. Also have to seal the middle more because they like to go across the grain.” Dylan Stewart said during the first intermission.

In the second, the goals would only further pile up on the Pontiacs. Curtis Roach scored three minutes in to extend the Oil Barons lead to 3-0. Brandon Ralph added a pair of goals in the period, making the Oil Barons lead 5-0. The period wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Yaks, as Derek Brown netted a goal in the dying seconds and sent the Pontiacs into the locker room with hope.

Pontiacs and Oil Barons set the tone

Things got greasy in the third period. Both teams tried to instigate something, but had no success. Both clubs piled up penalty minutes in the third. Gen Bryshun was tossed from the game after leaving the penalty box to have a word with Shane Fraser. Fort McMurray finished the game with the edge in shots at 36-31. Robert Jacobsen saved all 12 shots thrown his way in relief of Sandro Silvestre.

“They took control of the game early by making sure they pressured everywhere. They took away time and space and finished every check.” Coach Rick Swan told Husband Chad post game.

Final score in this one was 5-1. The Pontiacs return home on Tuesday night to face the Oil Barons for Game three. Game three starts at 7:30 p.m. Husband Chad will keep you up to date with all things Pontiacs live on Facebook.