MENZIES: Pontiacs perform in pair of strong performances

Myles Gauld scores a shorthanded goal to begin his hat-trick performance on Sunday in Devon. Image: Emma Jonker Photography.

Are the Yaks back? 

Well, let’s wait and see first. 

But there were many encouraging signs this weekend, as the Bonnyville Pontiacs strung together multiple wins for the first time of the season. 

Bonnyville took care of home ice on Friday night, getting that elusive first win over the Lloyd Bobcats with a 4-2 victory. 

Then on the road, they exercised some of the demons away from the RJ Lalonde Arena. 

Entering on a six game road losing skid, the Pontiacs pulled away to rout the Devon Xtreme in a 7-1 romp. 

“I thought it was our best 60 minute effort all year long so far,” said assistant coach Chad Carder following the Sunday win on the road. 

“Like last game to be honest, I think a lot of things are coming together.” 

Yakoween spooky for visitors

Bronson Ross scored a powerplay goal five minutes into the home contest to get the Halloween costumed attired crowd engaged in the game earlier.

With a pushback early in the 2nd period, the Bobcats tied it on a Luke Fritz man advantage marker forty seconds into the frame.

That’s when Dayton Reschny struck.

Reschny’s excellent maneuver and perfectly placed finished — albeit a slight fan on the shot — was the goal that the Pontiacs needed for momentum.

The Yaks did not look back, taking the lead into the intermission, and adding a Christophe Lussier goal on a forecheck turnover for the multi-goal edge.

Myles Gauld added an empty-netter to ensure the game out of reach.

Gauld would just be getting started, scoring his second AJHL hat-trick on Sunday via a shorthanded, even strength, and powerplay goal.

“I think it was good to get a full week of practice in,” Gauld said before Friday’s game. “We got to work on a lot of things, watch video, I think we know what we need to do.”

Ryan Tamelin provided a solid effort between the pipes, stopping 21 of 23 shots for his first win of the season.

The Pontiacs are now 3-1 within the friendly confines of the RJ Lalonde Arena, and have six of their seven November games on home ice.

‘Xtremely positive

The first half of the game vs Devon was tight. The Pontiacs used the last four minutes of the first period to start taking over the game, inevitably scoring thanks to Dayton Reschny’s slick tuck past Wilson Maxfield.

Maxfield could only hold the fort for so long.

On the penalty kill, Gauld chipped the puck to himself for a partial breakaway, which he made no mistake on. Kailus Green didn’t get an assist on the play, but his hustle to become a passing option allowed Gauld more room to fire home the puck.

Then, the Gauld-Lussier-Lajoie line struck again of a faceoff play that allowed Gauld to poke in the rebound.

The Xtreme thought they found life with a Tyler Pretty goal in the late stages of the 2nd period, but it was fool’s gold.

The wheels came off the bus in the 3rd period, as Rockston Ror-Chow scores his first and second AJHL goals, Gauld found the hatty, and Kyle Kalamaras buried his 4th of the season.

All Devon head coach Kelly Buchberger could do was stand and stare, as his team lost their fifth straight home game, their seventh straight overall, and 11th of their last 12.

Butikis was particularly good in the first 10 minutes. After his night off Friday, he collected another 29 save win. Meanwhile, the Pontiacs peppered the Devon goal for 48 shots. His save percentage is now up to .904 for the season.

Lussier re-connecting chemistry

Christophe Lussier is one of the many young players on this year’s team. The Pontiacs have gone for young skill as opposed to a veteran-laden group, which in part has lead to early mistakes. Mistakes they hope to turn into major returns by the latter half of the season.

The Brossard, Quebec product was elected as a U18AAA player last season, and early on, had instant chemistry with Mat Lajoie. During the team’s struggles, they too had some growing pains, but lately have re-kindled their scoring touch.

“Obviously, it’s really easy to play with Mats. He’s a great player. Just playing my game, I think it’s really easy and that’s how we contributed. But we need to keep going,” he said before Sunday’s game.

While he’s a long way from home, he’s made the adjustment well to Bonnyville and Alberta. He’s earned 12 points in 14 games, including two helpers against Devon.

“My billet family, the boys, the coaches have really helped me out here. The Town has really helped me out. I love it, I love Bonnyville.”

Notes:

• With the four point weekend, the Pontiacs record has improved to 5-7-2 on the season. That’s good enough to sit 4th in the North at the moment, tied with Lloyd in point, but with two games in hand. It also slots them just one point back of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons with one game in hand.
• The win over Devon gives them a five point buffer from the last place club.
• Brady Austin got off the snide offensively with three assists over the weekend, breaking his goose egg.
• Off his winning performance, Ryan Tamelin is returning to the Spokane Chiefs for a stint in the WHL due to their goalie availability. In the meantime, ’08 top prospect and second rounder in the WHL, Ryley Budd, will affiliate with the Pontiacs. The 16-year-old was selected in the 2nd round by the Saskatoon Blades in the Bantam Draft, and was named the Top Goaltender in the CSSHL with Edge School last year.
• On the mend? The Pontiacs are hopeful that 6’6″ Alex Coventry could be back soon on the Yaks blueline. Meanwhile, Drew Peterson has helped provide stability on the blueline.
• We saw a goalie fight in the AJHL on Friday night. The tale of the tape saw Drumheller netminder Sean Cootes and Grande Prairie goalie Nicholas Jonas square off in the neutral zone. Despite the obvious pleasure from the fans, each goalie was assessed a three game suspension for fighting and game misconducts.
• Home cooking. The Pontiacs have a ton of home games coming, with Canmore up here for a pair on Friday and Saturday nights.

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