Pontiacs Battle Hard but Drop Two at Home

Mercier: “We’re right there. You can feel it in the room.”

It was a tough weekend inside the R.J. Lalonde Arena as the Bonnyville Pontiacs fell in a pair of close ones — 3–2 to the Olds Grizzlys on Friday, and 5–4 to the Drumheller Dragons on Saturday — despite outshooting both opponents by wide margins and showing flashes of the offensive firepower that’s been building early this season.

Friday: Grizzlys 3, Pontiacs 2

 

Bonnyville came out firing against Olds, putting up 60 shots to the Grizzlys’ 25. The Yaks looked ready to roll after Anthony Lussier buried two in the first, including a powerplay marker set up by Gavin Harrison.

But Olds clawed back with a pair in the second and the eventual game-winner midway through the third. Goalie Carter Budd turned aside 22 of 25, while Olds netminder Johnson stole the show with 58 saves.

“We did everything right except finish,” said Head Coach Chad Mercier. “When you put up 60 shots, you expect to win. Credit to their goalie — he earned that one — but we’ve got to find ways to bury those chances.”

Saturday: Dragons 5, Pontiacs 4

The Pontiacs came out swinging again against Drumheller in a back-and-forth affair that had the crowd of 734 on their feet. Gavin Harrison and Lussier each picked up a goal and an assist, while Zach Pendy chipped in with three helpers.

Despite leading twice, the Yaks couldn’t hold off a late push from the Dragons, who scored the game-winner with under two minutes to play.

“That one stings,” said Mercier. “We played with a lot of energy, but a couple breakdowns cost us. The compete level’s there — we just have to manage the puck better late in games.”

Still, there’s plenty for fans to be excited about. Rookie Harrison extended his point streak to six games, and the powerplay continues to find rhythm, going 2-for-10 on the weekend.

Mercier says the team’s close — “real close.”

“We’re right there. You can feel it in the room. The guys are frustrated, sure, but they’re not defeated. Once we learn to close these games out, it’s going to turn fast.”

The Pontiacs are back in action next weekend with a road swing through Camrose and Drumheller before returning home to face Whitecourt.

 

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