Bonnyville Pontiacs beat Camrose Kodiaks amidst league uncertainty

Amidst the swirling craziness and speculation across the AJHL and BCHL, the Bonnyville Pontiacs still had a game on Saturday night, and made it a tidy bit of business. 

Luka Sukovic scored his first AJHL hat-trick, Bodee Weiss made 20 saves in his 100th game, and the Pontiacs defeated the Camrose Kodiaks 7-2 on the road. 

Sukovic added an assist for a four point night, now achieving the 30-goal plateau, re-establishing himself in 2nd across the entire league in goals. 

Nicolas Beaudoin continued his terrific leadership he’s shown down the stretch, with a goal and two assists, even having a goal disallowed. 

The Yaks scored two goals in the first 6:27 with Sukovic lighting the lamp and then Tyler Blocha a minute later gave Bonnyville a lead they’d never relinquish. 

JR Ashmead scores a shorthanded marker to end the period 3-0, prompting a goaltending change from Camrose. 

The Kodiaks scored early in the 2nd frame, but failed to score on their powerplay chances, and the Pontiacs fired two home on the man-advantage thanks to Clarence Beltz and Nico Beaudoin. 

Sukovic then notched his 29th and 30th goals in the 3rd. 

It’s the first road win of the new bench dynamic without Mario Pouliot. 

Injuries

The Pontiacs still played a man short in the lineup due to injuries. 

Levi Green suited up for the first time in over two weeks, and Michael Ryan was good to go after missing three games. 

But Max Seguin, the team’s 3rd leading point earner with 13 goals and 29 assists, is expected to miss some time, as he was seen with a sling. 

Jack McAra could return sooner than later as well. 

BCHL update

More details and announcements are anticipated from the AJHL brass about their plan for the rest of the season regarding reports about five teams jumping to a different league. 

The BCHL said on Saturday afternoon that the Brooks Bandits, Spruce Grove Saints, Sherwood Park Crusaders, Okotoks Oilers, and Blackfalds Bulldogs have been accepted into their league for next season. 

Four games this weekend with those teams were cancelled, but the games head-to-head with these teams were allowed to go on. More cancellations have been announced this week. 

However, Tuesday night’s game for the Bonnyville Pontiacs at the Drayton Valley Thunder will go on as scheduled. 

You can listen to every game, all season with Michael Menzies on lakelandconnect.net/pontiacs.