Pontiacs Deliver on Mercier’s Message in Hard-Fought Home-and-Home with Camrose

Bonnyville Shows Resilience in a Weekend Built on Hard Work

The Bonnyville Pontiacs entered the weekend short bodies, missing key players to WHL recalls, and gearing up for a home-and-home against a Camrose team riding a streak. Ahead of Friday’s opener, Head Coach Chad Mercier talked about adversity, depth, and playing the right way. Over the next two nights, his team delivered exactly the response he hoped for.

“Every shift is an investment” – Mercier sets the tone

Before the series, Mercier said back-to-back games demand commitment and detail.

“When you play a team back-to-back, every shift matters. Every shift is an investment. If you take one off, you give them life,” he said.

That message played out shift by shift.

Friday in Camrose: A second-period surge fuels a 6–3 win

The Kodiaks pounced early Friday, taking a 2–0 lead and outshooting Bonnyville 18–6 in the first. Mercier expected the early push but emphasised staying composed and checking hard.

The response was exactly what he described.

Bonnyville exploded for four goals in the second period, starting with a power-play marker from Max Pendy, followed by Malcolm Baar’s first of the night just 34 seconds later to tie the game 2–2.

Despite Camrose briefly pulling even, the Pontiacs controlled the remainder of the game. Niehaus restored the lead, Wentz added a shorthanded goal late in the period, and Baar sealed the win with an empty-netter in the third for his second of the night.

Goaltender Nathan Salisbury stopped 44 of 47 shots, answering Mercier’s call for a strong, stabilising performance while the team adapts to WHL recalls and injuries.

Final: Bonnyville 6 – Camrose 3

Saturday in Bonnyville: An overtime classic

Saturday’s rematch at the R. J. Lalonde Arena was a wild, back-and-forth affair. Bonnyville built a 3–1 lead before Camrose stormed back to take a 5–4 advantage early in the third.

Again, the Pontiacs leaned into the identity Mercier outlined — patience, checking detail, and sticking with the game.

Lussier tied the game 5–5, then with under two minutes left, Pendy buried the equaliser on the power play to force overtime.

Twenty seconds into OT, Lussier struck again, finishing a crisp passing sequence from Pendy and Wilson on the man advantage.

Final: Bonnyville 6 – Camrose 5 (OT)

Special teams respond where Mercier wanted improvement

Mercier stressed the penalty kill needed more urgency — clears, lanes, and fresh legs. On Friday, the PK went 4-for-4.

Saturday, it was the power play’s turn, scoring two late goals including the overtime winner. Mercier said special teams would matter against a tight-checking Camrose group. They did.

Salisbury steps up in a key moment

With Riley Budd recalled to the WHL, the crease belonged to Salisbury. Mercier hoped a short break would reset him — and the goalie responded with 77 saves across the two games, giving Bonnyville every chance to take four points.

A complete response heading into a home weekend

Two wins, strong special teams, depth stepping up, and the identity Mercier wants to build — the Pontiacs delivered all of it.

Up Next

The Pontiacs return home this weekend with two big matchups at the R. J. Lalonde Arena. Bonnyville hosts Whitecourt on Friday and Devon on Saturday. Puck drop for both games is 7pm as the team looks to keep the momentum rolling.

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