MENZIES: Bonnyville Pontiacs perform in home opener, split weekend vs Xtreme

A big win at home to start the season, but a disappointing road loss sums up weekend for new look Yaks. 

The home fans got to see the new look Bonnyville Pontiacs on Friday night, and couldn’t have left disappointed, after being treated to a 4-2 win against the Devon Xtreme, and seeing the slick new threads that will be the Yaks alternates this year.

Mathieu Lajoie, Christophe Lussier, Jordan Schanbacher, and Kailus Green all lit the lamp, while Cody Butikis, the Pontiacs starting goaltender this year, made 24 saves en route to victory.

The penalty kill deserved a load of credit. They killed six of seven minors overall, especially early in the game, where the Yaks were shorthanded on four occasions, but kept the game scoreless at the first intermission.

After Dylan Bidyk scored the first goal in Xtreme franchise history, the Yaks scored four unanswered in the 2nd and 3rd periods. A marker from Brynn MacLean arrived with just 35 seconds left in the contest, but that was all Devon could muster in a comeback attempt.

Two points were secured, and the Pontiacs skated along the glass around the ice to salute the terrific crowd who showed up to watch.

“The penalty kill really killed their momentum. Credit to our guys, we had a lot of big blocks and goaltending really helped us,” said head coach Ayrton Nikkel. 

New team

It’s a Pontiacs team that is looking to forge a new identity.

No longer are there the likes of Nicolas Beaudoin, Max Seguin, and JR Ashmead.

With just four returnees from last year’s talent-laden, but ultimately underperforming squad, the win was a step in the right direction in the new murky waters of the AJHL.

This year’s captain is Jordan Schanbacher, a player who did decide to return to Bonnyville in the off-season. The 19-year-old from St. Thomas, Ontario says the team is already gelling.

“It’s truly an honour, I can confidently say that, to be wearing the C for this organization. I was brought into the leadership group at the end of last season, so I have the swing of things,” Schanbacher said before the home opener on Friday. 

“I think we have the tightest group I’ve had all my hockey career. I think we have something special in that room.” 

Road history

The team turned around on Saturday and headed to Devon for the Xtreme’s first ever home game in franchise history. The home side used this goodwill from the hockey gods to come back and defeat the Pontiacs 5-3.

Devon’s bench boss and general manager is a familiar face to hockey fans. Former Edmonton Oilers captain Kelly Buchberger is guiding the newest AJHL franchise along this season, who said the opportunity keeps him closer to home, while continuing to develop hockey players.

“You have to have really good structure and that the player is buying into what you’re selling,” Buchberger told Lakeland Connect before Saturday’s home opener.

“If players are freelancing and not buying into what you’re selling, you’re probably not going to have a winning recipe. We want to make sure we’re a hard-working team. We do have some skill. We have strong goaltending. It’s one of those things that once you blend everybody together and you grab the right chemistry, you have a chance to win.

“I don’t think we played to our potential last night and hopefully tonight we bring it.”

They did bring a better effort, particularly 5-on-5, creating more offensive opportunities. Netminder Preston Lewis deserves praise, making 36 saves and many quality ones on the Pontiacs, who grabbed a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes, and seemed well positioned to sweep the weekend.

Then goals from Tyler Pretty, Levy Kozma, and Jaxen Smyth put Bonnyville in a hole they couldn’t dig out of.

“You have to have your best every single night,” said Nikkel post-game. “I thought a lot of our guys played well, but I think a lot of our guys need to pick it up in certain areas of the ice as well. 

“When it came back to the defensive zone, I don’t think our structure is very tight and that allowed them to get some grade a scoring chances against us. It’s a 200-foot game.” 

Slade Firkus was heavily involved, scoring his first goal, and mixing it up at every opportunity. Kailus Green scored again, and Lynden Hanvold showed a booming shot from the point, plus his ability to play strong defensively.

Hoshow hits century mark

Last Saturday was also special for Bonnyville’s own Brent Hoshowski.

The local product played in his 100th regular season game. In particular, his willingness to block shots and force the opposition to answer the bell was on display this weekend.

“It means a lot. It’s an honour to wear that jersey a hundred times. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be an exciting night.” 

The Pontiacs have just one game this weekend: a road tilt with North Division rival Whitecourt Wolverines.

In fact, if you missed the home opener, it’ll be awhile before you can catch the Yaks. The next three games are on the road, before they return to the RJ Lalonde Arena on Friday, Oct. 4 vs the Lloydminster Bobcats.

On the lighter side

As part of the franchise starting festivities in Devon, the home side looked to enshrine the moment with some modern technology.

There were two quick photo-ops with a drone hovering above centre ice for staged faceoffs, then a ceremonial puckdrop with elected officials.

The Pontiacs commentary had a little fun with the unusual and unique situation during Saturday’s broadcast.

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