MENZIES: Can the Pontiacs continue upward trend in 2025?

We’ve seen the Yaks capable of beating everyone so far in 2024-25. But consistency will be key. Image: Emma Jonker Photography.  

While the Bonnyville Pontiacs resume the second half of their season tomorrow with a roadtrip to Olds and Calgary, I will be sitting in the front seat watching the World Darts Championship. 

That is not a typo. It is one of my favourite sporting events of the year. 

Tension. Drama. Twenty-thousand belligerent chanting Europeans. What’s not to love? 

The final of Michael van Gerwen (the McDavid of darts) vs a 17-year-old Luke Littler (Gavin McKenna if he was already maybe the best in the world).

The end of the darts, just like the World Junior Championship, is the sign of holidays over. 

Back to business. 

And in this new year, grand ol’ 2025, (Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac, but that’s not till Jan. 29) the Yaks look to make a post-season push. 

On their list of new year’s resolutions will be sorting out their road performances. 

On the road again

With so much bus time early, the Yaks played just three road games in November and December and garnered a record of 1-1-1. 

Overall this year? 3-6-3. It’s one of the reasons the Pontiacs sit outside the playoff picture with 26 games remaining on the slate. 

However, right before the Christmas break, Bonnyville was putting together more good outings than bad ones. 

Will it be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? 

In the meantime, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons trundled through their last weekend, blown out by the Devon Xtreme and then whimpering to the Whitecourt Wolverines. 

So the Pontiacs sit five points back of the last spot with five games in hand. 

There are also four head-to-head matchups that remain between the two foes, including a Sunday, Jan. 12 matinee zip up to Centerfire Place. 

You hope the break hasn’t cooled the Yaks youngsters magma hot streaks. 

Remember? 

• Christophe Lussier: 3 goals in 4 games.
• Mat Lajoie: 6 points in 4 games.
• Dayton Reschny: 3 goals, 6 assists in 5 games.
• Slade Firkus: 2 goals, 4 assists, in 4 games.

And with the expectation that injuries still loom, these rookies are showing the league they’ve got more to offer. 

The special teams have sorted itself out as well. 

In the eight games before the break, the powerplay was at 23% and scored in all but one of the games. The penalty kill was 91% only allowing two goals in 24 kills in those same eight games. 

Long term the percentages sit at 15.5% PP and 79.3% PK. 

My guess is if the powerplay can finish the regular season at 18-19%, the penalty kill to 82%, – which are around league median figures – combined with a .500 road record and even a 2-2 split with the MOB, this team will get to the last playoff spot. 

Teams in opposite directions

The Olds Grizzlys have some inner turmoil heading into their first game of the year. Their leading scorer Antonio Bevacqua left to go to Salmon Arm of the BCHL after Christmas, as has Mitch Patrick to Nanaimo. 

Olds has slipped to 14 points behind Drumheller for the last spot in the south, sporting a 11-18 record. 

It’ll be the last head-to-head against the Grizzlys for the Pontiacs, who dispatched them at home 3-1 on Dec. 13, and will look to tie the season series. 

The second leg of the weekend is the last matchup against the Calgary Canucks, who continue to bolster their lineup. 

Jayden Joly, an inaugural member of the Blackfalds Bulldogs, and appeared 211 times with the franchise, joined the Canucks and already has potted nine points in four games. 

Captain Bowden Singleton is back healthy and levelled seven points as him and league leading scorer Jack Plandowski each scored hat tricks in a 8-2 thrashing of the Grande Prairie Storm right before the break. 

Calgary seems to be loading up for a Centennial Cup run. They know they’ll be there as hosts, but sit one point behind the Canmore Eagles for first in the South.

The Storm ran out of steam and lost all four games of 2024 by the way, placing them eight back of the Whitecourt Wolverines for first in the North. 

Fans can see their team back at the RJ against the Drayton Valley Thunder on Saturday, Jan. 11. 

—

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