Yaks get weekend split with buzzer beater goal from Macaulay

AJ Macaulay scored with nine seconds left in regulation to lift the Bonnyville Pontiacs to a 3-2 win over the Whitecourt Wolverines on Saturday. 

The last second regulation win allowed the Yaks a split of their weekend homestand, after a 3-2 loss on Friday against the Wolverines. 

Bonnyville’s record improves to 3-1 on the season as they head to the AJHL Showcase in Brooks next weekend. 

“I thought in the first period we came out and dominated the Whitecourt Wolverines. And in the second period I thought we played a good, solid 15 minutes, and then in the third period I thought we took the foot off of the gas for a minute,” said assistant coach Neil Langridge post-game. 

“Then we come back, we dump a puck in, we put our line of [Sebastian] Tamburro, [Adam] Grenier and [Charlie] Russell out there, who I thought were very good tonight, and they dump a puck in, it pops out and next thing you know AJ Macaulay with the winner. Good things come to those who wait, and those who deserve it, and I thought we deserved the win tonight.”

Sebastian Tamburro and Nick Traggio scored two minutes apart in the first period to give the Pontiacs a two goal edge. 

Macaulay’s game winner halted a third-period charge where the Wolverines knotted the game with just four minutes in regulation. He now has 2 goals on the year and netminder Matthew Hennessey is 2-0 with only 3 goals allowed in two games. 

“You just have to put those goals behind you and keep a clean slate. Just keep everything simple and make sure the boys are doing their jobs for the win,” said Hennessey after the game.  

“I just want to be that guy that the whole team relies on and falls back on. I just have to prove myself every single game.” 

Friday night’s contest saw three lead changes and the Wolverines scored all their goals within the first two minutes of each period. 

Bonnyville got early goals from Nick Traggio, who has the early team lead with four points, and Charlie Russell’s first regular season AJHL goal. 

The Wolverines captain Tyler Mahan added a pair of points to have five total, including the equalizer goal on Friday night, before Ryan Duguay scored the winner moments into the third period. 

The Yaks pulled Bodee Weiss, but could not crack Carson Ironside, who made 34 saves for the victory.

The Pontiacs were scheduled to play Tuesday against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons but that game has been rescheduled (TBA) due to arena construction at Centerline Place. 

The Pontiacs players will have their morning legs tested at the AJHL Showcase. The Yaks play the Blackfalds Bulldogs at 10:30am on Saturday morning, before facing the Olds Grizzlys on Sunday afternoon at 1:30pm. 

You can listen to all games at lakelandconnect.thedev.ca/pontiacs.

Upcoming Games: 

• Saturday, October 2 | vs Blackfalds @ AJHL Showcase | 10:30am
• Sunday, October 3 | vs Olds @ AJHL Showcase | 1:30pm
• Tuesday, October 5 | at Fort McMurray (TBD) | 7:30pm
• Friday, October 8 | at Spruce Grove | 7:00pm
• Saturday, October 9 | HOME vs Spruce Grove | 7:00pm