Road success continues for Pontiacs team that shows resilience

What is it about playing on the road that has led to success for the Bonnyville Pontiacs? 

“I really don’t know,” said captain Trey Funk. “Yeah, I couldn’t tell ya.” 

But there is a difference, at least in terms of the results for this Pontiacs team, when they’ve played away from the RJ Lalonde. Again down south for a pair of games last weekend, these Kings of the Road (as Roger Miller wrote), came away with four points in a 3-2 win over Canmore and 6-3 victory over Olds.  

Bonnyville found themselves down a pair in the middle frame on Saturday night vs the Canmore Eagles, but got a funny one to beat the opposition netminder Matthew Malin from Funk’s stick to draw within one. That’s when the new line of Matteo Giampa, Nico Beaudoin, and Max Seguin started clicking and scored the equalizer early in the 3rd period, which was easily the team’s strongest period all around. 

Bodee Weiss played solid stopping 29 shots and Mike Cataldo sniped home the game winner walking into the Eagles zone 1-on-2 for his 4th goal of the season, none bigger than that no-doubter that eluded Matthew Malin. 

“That’s hockey for you,” said assistant coach Connor Cadaret, who thought his team’s performance wasn’t that different from last weekend’s disappointing losses to the Whitecourt Wolverines. 

“It seems like we’ve been a little snakebitten offensively, so to see one like that go in kickstarted us. And you could tell after that they were feeling it.” 

Head coach Mario Pouliot said after Saturday’s result that he thinks his team can be a little stubborn, trying to create pretty looking plays, but when they find ways to bear down and stay structured, they find opportunities to win. 

“I liked the emotion, the energy, the enthusiasm we had for that game…after the two losses against Whitecourt we focused to be better on our d-zone coverage, having more awareness and I’m really happy about our structure. But we didn’t give much to them and offensively we used the depth of the ice,” said Pouliot. 

‘More positives than negatives…’

Bonnyville travelled to Olds Sunday morning, the site of icy roads and uncertain conditions the day before that led to the Sherwood Park Crusaders bus hitting the ditch en route to Blackfalds. Luckily, the Crusaders players and staff all remained safe during the incident, but Highway 2 was not recommended for non-essential travel late Saturday evening. 

The roadways were easier to navigate for the Sunday matinee affair, which the Pontiacs dictated from puck drop, scoring just three minutes into the game on Jack Budd’s second goal with the Yaks. 

In his four games, Budd has not been held off the scoresheet while wearing a Pontiacs sweater, and has been a fine addition to the backend, playing 25 plus minutes each night. 

Matteo Giampa scored his first shorthanded and powerplay goals of the season in the 1st and 3rd period, bracketing super set-ups to new linemate Nico Beaudoin in the middle frame, who buried a pair of markers to re-establish the team lead in goals and AJHL rookie lead with 12. 

The Pontiacs punished the weak defence of the Grizzlys, who have surrendered far and away the most goals in the AJHL with 111 heading into Sunday, and six more after the Yaks win. 

Bonnyville took advantage of Spruce Grove losing on Saturday and Whitecourt losing both weekend games, to draw back within a point of the Wolverines for second in the division with 20 games played each. 

While not a perfect 60 minutes – the third period saw a couple of Grizzlys rushes convert to goals – the Yaks did enough to win, and maintained a distance of two goals for most of the hockey game. 

“There were definitely way more positives than negatives,” said Cadaret, who alluded to some bad habits creeping into the team’s third period play, but overall was pleased with the effort of the team’s best players. 

“Usually that’s the recipe for success in hockey, if your best players outplay their best players, you usually win. I thought our depth guys did a good job too. I liked the way we played offensively for the most part. I liked our movement. 

“Nico [Beaudoin] again with that finish around the net, it was nice to see Matteo [Giampa] bury some shots because he’s been working hard on that, he worked hard just to play today.” 

Cadaret was eluding to Giampa requiring emergency dental work on Sunday morning, stemming from a high stick he took at the tail end of the Eagles game. He lost one tooth and another chipped. 

With a look similar to Bobby Clarke, he registered four points to reach 30 on the season, seven clear of anyone else in the tough North Division, while remaining the league’s most potent 5-on-5 weapon with 25 points even strength. 

The Yaks are 5-0-1 against the South this season and 9-3-1 in all games away from the RJ Lalonde this year. 

Before they try to reverse some of their home woes, they have a big divisional matchup at Fort McMurray where only one point separates them in the standings. 

“It’s nice to get the results when we’re playing the right way.”

You can listen to Wednesday’s game on lakelandconnect.thedev.ca/pontiacs.