Pontiacs roadtrip ends with thud after impressive start

Three out of a possible six points were collected by Bonnyville over the weekend. Past the halfway point of the season, 30 games remain on the schedule. 

The start of the trip was some of the best – the rest? Not nearly as good. 

That’s how you could summarize the Bonnyville Pontiacs three-game roadtrip in Okotoks, Calgary, and Canmore last weekend. 

It started with a huge 4-2 win at the Okotoks Oilers, the highest ranked opponent they played during the visit. 

The Yaks came back from a 2-1 deficit after twenty minutes, got three points from Clarence Beltz and Tyler Blocha, and a crucial equalizing goal from JR Ashmead, en route to what appeared to be a galvanizing victory without the Yaks captain Nicolas Beaudoin. 

But from there, a lot was left to be desired. 

Road woes

Bonnyville came out flat against the Calgary Canucks, a team they were tied with in the standings. They looked ill-prepared and lackadaisical, and dug themselves a two-goal hole heading into the 3rd. 

Cue the furious comeback attempt in the ensuing frame, with Myles Gauld’s first goal as a Pontiac, and the tying marker just moments later in a ridiculous snipe from James Schneid. 

Knotted 2-2, Calgary captain Bowden Singleton’s wicked re-direction put the Canucks back on top with a few minutes to go. 

With netminder Bodee Weiss pulled, the Yaks found a way to secure a point, with Schneid’s second of the night off of a Spencer Borsos rebound. 

But the better team pulled out the win, with one-time Pontiac Sam Lozinski scoring the winner. 

That still set-up the Yaks with a chance to get five of a possible six points in Canmore. But the Eagles have the Pontiacs number this season, winning their second game against them 5-1. 

It was a tale of two games: Bonnyville having firm control in the first 27 minutes, and possessing a 1-0 lead and having the puck for the large majority. 

A turnover from goalie Nathan St-Germain seemed to turn the tides. Tavynn Schlaht’s first AJHL goal, plus two goals in the last 2:03, proved to be an insurmountable lead heading into the 2nd intermission, and culminated in a 5-1 defeat. 

After a stretch of five straight road games, in which the Pontiacs went 1-3-1, they sit in a logjam tie with Drumheller and Whitecourt. But because of their games played, that puts them 8th in the table.  

Staying home

No Pontiacs were selected for Team Canada West for the World Junior A Challenge beginning Dec. 10, despite some candidates. 

Perhaps the most deserving was Dante Siciliano, who sits in a tie for 11th in scoring amongst all AJHL defencemen, with 8 goals and 11 assists. 

He is tied for the league-lead in defensive rookie points, while playing as a top option on the penalty kill for Bonnyville. 

Jack McAra and Bodee Weiss could’ve also warranted consideration. 

Teddy Bear Toss and theme nights

The Pontiacs last two home games before the Christmas break are this weekend. 

On Friday night hosting the Blackfalds Bulldogs, it’s Lakeland Co-op night, where a donation table will be set up by the front gate for the BCHS’s Santa’s Elves Program. Both toy and cash donations will be accepted.

Then it’s The Brick Bonnyville Teddy Bear Toss night on Saturday night. Bring teddy bears and stuffies, and when the first goal is scored, throw them onto the ice. They’ll be donated to Bonnyville Victim Services & Auxiliary Hospital. Proceeds from teddy bear’s bought beforehand will go to the Stollery Children’s Hospital. 

The Yaks will wrap-up the season series with the Lloydminster Bobcats that night. 

Afterwards, the last three contests before Christmas are all on the road.

You can listen to Bonnyville Pontiacs hockey on lakelandconnect.net and lakelandconnect.mixlr.com