Bonnyville Pontiacs crush Cru at home

Unfriendly visit

The Sherwood Park Crusaders paid a visit to the RJ Lalonde Arena on Tuesday night. The Pontiacs entered action on the heels of a tough weekend at the AJHL Showcase. Tuesday night, the Pontiacs showed their offensive prowess, winning 7-2. The Pontiacs turned to Sandro Silvestre in net.

First period Yak attack

The Pontiacs and Crusaders started the first period feeling each other out. The Pontiacs controlled the shot clock throughout the first. Mason Fischer scored mid-way through the first. Joel Ray set up the goal, and the Yaks had life. Charlie Gawlicki, and Zach Aston provided some excitement on the penalty kill late in the period. They hooked up for a big goal. It was a 2-0 score for the Pontiacs until Isaac Saniga scored on the powerplay from Brandon Whistle, and PJ Morrocco. The 3-0 score stood into the intermission.

“You get the chance to wheel like that every so often. Kirby set up a nice one behind the net for me, and took what was given. Tried to bring home one for the boys, but bumbled off my stick.” Lucas Thorne said of a chance in the first that would have been goal four.

Yaks continue to fly in second

The Pontiacs entered the second period with a 16-9 edge in shots. PJ Morrocco and Zach Erhardt set up Derek Brown to extend the lead to 4-0 halfway through the second. The Pontiacs were playing in an unfamiliar territory. Derek Brown got his second of the period, on a set up from Isaac Saniga. The Pontiacs continued their offensive explosion with a goal from Saniga late in the period. The Yaks led 6-0 at the intermission. Captain Charlie Gawlicki had a simple message in the intermission.

“Not change a thing. Everything’s working, so we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing.” Cpatain Charlie Gawlicki said.

Put it to bed

Things seemed to get away from the Pontiacs a bit in the third, but with a six goal cushion they held on handily. Sherwood Park scored 4:18 into the period. Things got a bit rowdy at the ten minute mark of the period, when Adam Sandstrom electrified the home crowd, standing up for a teammate with a big fight. It was 6-1 until Garrett Clagg scored the Cru’s second goal. Two minutes after Clagg’s goal, Isaac Saniga completed his hat-trick. It stands as Isaac’s first AJHL hat-trick. The score was 7-2, and that’s what the scoreboard said when the buzzer rang.

“He’s going to be an elite player at our level, and the next level. There was nobody more frustrated than Issac because the offense wasn’t coming. He was working hard, and getting chances. That frustration is sometimes a funny thing for players. They can allow it to take them in a downward spiral so to speak. Isaac continued to work hard, and go to the hard areas where you’re going to get rewarded with offense.” Coach Rick Swan said post-game of Saniga’s big night.

Next up…

The Bonnyville Pontiacs are back in action, just down 897 and Yellowhead. Yes, they are once again playing the Lloydminster Bobcats! The game is Friday Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.