Sr. Pontiacs falter in home opener

The Red Deer Rustlers scored early and often, spoiling the Bonnyville Sr. Pontiacs home opener on Sunday.

Lucas Isley scored the lone goal for Bonnyville in the 2nd period, after the Pontiacs behind by two in the opening frame and couldn’t generate enough chances against the Rustlers, who skated away with a 8-1 victory.

“Definitely not the result that we had drawn up or that we wanted,” said coach Corey Wandler after the game. “It just kind of seemed like our lip was dragging on the ice all afternoon. So aside from that, there’s obviously going to be growing pains with a lot of new faces. You look for some chemistry, some different combos to see who’s going to click and whatnot.” 

Tyler Berkholtz put five points while the Rustlers also got goals from Shawn Rowe, Dylan Houston, Ryan Vandervlis, Jonny Li, and Stuart Bell in the contest for their first win of the season.

Bonnyville will get two more home games this weekend.

They will host the Camrose Crush on Saturday night at 7:30pm and the Westlock Warriors on Sunday at 5:15pm.

It will be a double header on Sunday as they begin just the Jr. A Pontiacs wrap up against the Grande Prairie Storm.

“We got the best of the best, best team in the province, the best senior team maybe in the country in the Camrose Crush. They’re a powerhouse. So if you thought Red deer was good, they just lost to them twice in the last few weekends. So it should be interesting.”

Pasichnuk marks debut

Brinson Pasichnuk made his senior hockey debut and logged a ton of minutes on the back end.

The former ASU Sun Devil and San Jose Shark described the change that senior hockey brings from the pro game.

“It’s all different type of skill level. I don’t really know how to say it. The determination you need to run four defencemen. I’m dying out here right now,” he said laughing. “I haven’t done this in forever. But it’s good…I’m enjoying it.” 

He decided to return home this summer with his wife after making a go at the upper echelon and has no regrets and he pursues a real estate license.

“I was playing pro for a couple years. I just fell out of love with the game like I did in college and juniors. I always said the day that happens is the day I come back and start my life, so that’s what’s happened. I wanna play hockey for the love of it again, not as my career.” 

Goulet begins 4th year of senior hockey

Pashniak from Canadiens to Pontiacs