Sr. Pontiacs take Game 1 and 2, one win away from North Final

Marc Ouellette played the hero in overtime as the Bonnyville Sr. Pontiacs won Game 1 vs the Westlock Warriors 4-3 on Saturday night.

Then, they took a strangehold on home ice.

After going down 2-0, Denis Cadrin scored two goals, and the Sr. Pontiacs won 5-2 at the RJ Lalonde Arena on Sunday night, to take a 2-0 series lead, one win away from advancing to the North Division Final in NCHL playoff action.

Game 1 saw goals traded back and forth. Colton Buchta buried the lone marker of the 1st period.

The Warriors replied on the powerplay, but Bryton Beattie put Bonnyville back in front less than two minutes later.

Quick replies was the name of the game in the 2nd period. Westlock answered AJ Kupsch, Bonnyville’s Scott Thackery re-established the lead 17 seconds later.

Bryce van Brabant then equalized 3-3 where the game would sit for a long time, with a scoreless first period.

In overtime, Denis Cadrin was called for an interference penalty, but it was the Sr. Pontiacs making the special team’s play, with Ouellette scoring his first of the post-season, after burying six during the regular season.

Ryan Weitzel made 46 saves for Bonnyville, as they outshot the Warriors 56-49.

Game 2

The road team with their backs against the wall had the jump in the 1st period of Game 2.

Allen Borle scored with a mere six seconds left before the 1st intermission to give the Warriors a multi-goal heading into the break.

Cadrin then scored his 1st of the playoffs a 1:39 into the second frame, followed by markers from Bailey Lonsberry, and Ryan Piche for a Bonnyville lead 3-2 into the intermission.

They wouldn’t look back.

Cadrin earned his second of the night and Zach Nedelec widened the gap as well.

Drew Fleury made 18 consecutive saves en route to the win.

The 3rd period saw some feistiness. Just 2:19 left in regulation, Pontiacs’ defender Brinson Pasichnuk  fought Tyler Kampjes. Pasichnuk received an instigator penalty and Kampjes a gross misconduct.

That means Pasichnuk is suspended two games and Kampjes suspended four games.

Upcoming schedule

The Sr. Pontiacs have their first chance to close out the Warriors on Friday night on the road.

If needed, Game 4 is at home on Saturday with a 8:30pm puckdrop.

Game 5 would be Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm.