Pontiacs Take Two Wins to Close Out the Weekend

The Bonnyville Pontiacs picked up a pair of important victories over Lloydminster and Grande Prairie this weekend, tightening their special teams, getting timely scoring, and leaning on strong goaltending from Budd in both games.

Bonnyville Controls the Pace in 5–2 Win Over Lloydminster

The Pontiacs struck first on Friday in Lloydminster, with Lussier converting on the powerplay midway through the opening frame. The Bobcats answered with a man-advantage goal of their own, and the teams went to the room tied 1–1.

Bonnyville took over in the second. Wilson scored just 35 seconds in, followed by Hoshowski making it 3–1. Lloydminster cut the lead late on the powerplay, but that was the last time the Bobcats found the net.

Pendy’s empty-netter and a final-minute goal from Demers sealed the win.
Budd stood tall with 39 saves on 41 shots, keeping the Pontiacs firmly in control despite being outshot.

Coach Mercier: “We’ve got to stop leaving points on the board”

After Friday’s win in Lloydminster, Head Coach Chad Mercier said the group is trending in the right direction and building the consistency they’ve been after all month.

“You start to sound like a broken record,” he said. “When you watch that game in real time and then again on tape, I’m really happy with a lot of things we did.”

Mercier pointed back to Tuesday’s matchup, where the Pontiacs out-chanced their opponent but discipline late in the game cost them.

“We make it 4–3 and then get a little undisciplined. Even after the penalties we kept generating chances, but this is a results industry. We’ve got to stop leaving points on the board.”

Building more depth scoring

With the top line producing at one of the best rates in the league, Mercier said the focus is helping more players find their finishing touch.

“The last few weeks we’ve been better at getting pucks back and generating chances,” he said. “Now it’s sticking with it. Getting to rebounds, getting in the goalie’s eyes, bearing down. We slowed practice down this week so every drill ended with a goal. We want that scoring mindset.”

Riley Budd returns to the crease

Budd’s strong performance Friday came after nearly a month away, and Mercier said the staff eased him back in on purpose.

“We considered putting him in Tuesday, but he needed more practice time,” Mercier said. “Those last ten minutes that night gave him some game action. We’re seeing the payoff now.”

He expects Budd to be a key piece moving forward.

“Lloydminster works hard. We knew we’d need a big night from him and he delivered.”

On Austin’s continued rise

Mercier highlighted Austin’s growth, particularly in the past few weeks.

“He’s always worked hard. The difference now is combining that work with purpose,” he said. “He’s absorbed what we want and elevated his play. He drives our energy and we need that consistently.”

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Yaks Hold Off Storm in a 5–4 Home Win

Saturday’s home game brought more back-and-forth play, but the Pontiacs never lost their footing.

Scoreless through the first, Bonnyville opened the second period with three goals in quick succession from Costantino, Pendy, and Niehaus. Grande Prairie answered twice, but the Pontiacs carried a 3–2 lead into the third.

Shushkov restored the two-goal cushion early in the final frame, and Pendy added an empty-net goal late. The Storm scored in the final minute, but the Pontiacs closed it out for their second win of the weekend.

Budd delivered another strong outing, stopping 31 of 35 shots.