Storm prevail 5-4 as Yaks provide test to AJHL’s top team

Image: Emma Jonker Photography.

Bonnyville Pontiacs fans learned a couple things from Saturday night’s game against the Grande Prairie Storm.

One.

They can hang with the best team in the AJHL standings.

Two.

They aren’t quite there in terms of punishing a good team.

Coming off of the Canmore Eagles win at home — then the first place team in the South — the Pontiacs had a week of preparation for the third ranked team in the CJHL standings. But the forward group ran out of gas, with just 10 healthy regular forwards in the lineup.

“I thought the guys worked hard. A lot of guys were getting double and tripled shifted. You could see us wear down in the 3rd period, especially on the backcheck. It’s a frustrating one for sure,” said assistant coach Chad Carder in the post-game.

The start was good, their best yet.

Myles Gauld extended his league leading point streak to nine games with a rebound goal, created off the rush from Porter Byrd-Leitner.

Byrd-Leitner was everywhere in this game, setting up the Lajoie deflection goal, and scoring himself later on.

But moments after the early lead was created, and a powerplay to boot shortly after, a turnover in the d-zone allowed one time Pontiacs defenseman Kaiden Bugera to tie it up while shorthanded.

As the period wore on, Lajoie tipped home his 3rd of the season. But then the old trouble of the Yaks brewed: surrendering goals on the ensuing shift.

The Storm scored goals on the next two shifts. Kasey Russell Jr. buzzed around the Yaks zone to rip the puck blocker side. Then a Lynden Hanvold slapshot blocked in the offensive zone sprung Chayse Laurie on a breakaway. He made no mistake.

With the Pontiacs up 2-1 with 3:40 left in the 1st period, two goals in the next 82 seconds had them trailing into the intermission.

The Storm’s resilience prevailed, as the Pontiacs chased the game from there on out, never able to tie the game again after that.

“We need other guys to help pull the rope and focus on the details. I think we’ve been playing some good hockey, it’s just everything coming together at the same time.”

Byrd-Leitner’s offence shines

It didn’t happen immediately, but Porter Byrd-Leitner is riding a hot streak of 11 points in his last eight games.

The Moorestown, New Jersey native came to Bonnyville after filtering through the Blackfalds Bulldogs in training camp. After a quiet first five games, he is becoming one of the most potent weapons on the team.

“I’ve definitely gotten more comfortable,” he said before Saturday’s contest.

“Just getting used to the systems, getting more chemistry with my teammates. The first 5-6 games isn’t what you want to see out of me, but I’ve been able to pick it up, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without playing with good players. We’re so deep. It doesn’t matter who I’m with. It’s more that I can just build chemistry to come with my time being here.”

Playing with Myles Gauld and Mathieu Lajoie on Saturday, those three created offence consistently, especially at a time where another weapon in Christophe Lussier has missed time due to injury.

Byrd-Leitner is tied for 3rd on the team in points, with 3 goals and 9 assists.

Kailus Green remains in the lead, with 7 goals and 8 assists.

Another week, just one game

This soft spot in the Pontiacs schedule sees the Yaks with just one game again on the slate, heading to Drayton Valley on Friday.

And in this time of idleness, the teams right ahead of them in the standings have been playing a lot.

Bonnyville sits with a 6-9-2 record, but with four games in hand on Fort McMurray and Lloydminster, respectively.

Lloydminster will play twice this weekend, vs Devon and Drayton Valley, and Fort McMurray will play once against Whitecourt.

The Pontiacs return home Nov. 22 & 23 to host the Drumheller Dragons.