Pontiacs Take Two of Three in Playoff-Style Battle with Oil Barons

The Bonnyville Pontiacs just wrapped up a three-game war with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons — and it had all the intensity of a playoff series.

Two wins at home. An overtime heartbreaker on the road. Urgency. Pace. Physical play. Big saves.

If this was a preview of what’s ahead, the Pontiacs look ready for the fight.

Fast Start Sets the Tone – Feb. 25 (4-2 Win)

The mini-series opened Wednesday night at the R.J. Lalonde Arena, and the Pontiacs came out flying.

Olivier Lussier struck first midway through the opening frame, and Harrison followed up later in the period to restore the lead after Fort McMurray briefly tied it. Bonnyville controlled the tempo five-on-five, building zone time and outshooting the Barons 46-41.

Head Coach Chad Mercier said the difference was pace and puck management.

“We’ve talked a lot about wanting to be connected and wanting to play with that type of pace,” said Mercier. “In the second and third period, some of the zone time we had five-on-five versus what we gave up was a big difference in the game.”

Kinniburgh and MacLean added second-period goals to stretch the lead to 4-1. Fort McMurray scored late, but Ben Laurette shut the door with 39 saves.

It was structured. It was urgent. It was playoff-style hockey.

Offensive Depth on Display – Feb. 28 (6-2 Win)

Saturday night, the Pontiacs didn’t wait around.

Malcolm Baar opened the scoring just over two minutes in, and Bonnyville never looked back in a 6-2 victory.

Baar finished with two goals. Pendy added two of his own. MacLean continued his strong play with another tally. Six different players factored in offensively as the Pontiacs rolled.

For Baar, the key has been line chemistry and commitment away from the puck.

“We’ve gelled well together,” said Baar of his line. “It all starts on the defensive end… if we can play better defence, we’ll have more chances offensively.”

That approach showed. Bonnyville was hard on the forecheck, strong in transition and disciplined enough to capitalize on opportunities, including a third-period power play marker from Pendy.

The Barons pushed physically late, but the Pontiacs didn’t back down. Laurette turned aside 28 shots, and Bonnyville once again controlled the five-on-five play.

Head Coach Chad Mercier March 1 Interview on Lakeland Connect

Overtime Heartbreaker – March 1 (3-2 OT Loss)

Sunday afternoon at Centerfire Place felt exactly like Game 3 of a playoff series.

MacLean opened the scoring on the power play in the first period, but Fort McMurray responded with two in the second to grab momentum.

The Pontiacs didn’t panic.

Pendy tied the game with just under two minutes left in regulation, capping a dominant third period where Bonnyville outshot the Barons 17-10. In total, the Pontiacs fired 40 shots on net.

Mercier acknowledged the team has grown through adversity this season.

“We’ve been there all year where it hasn’t taken much — little moments in games,” he said. “We’re hoping we’re hitting our groove here now… we want to attack this thing with enthusiasm.”

Fort McMurray scored 44 seconds into overtime to take the extra point, but the Pontiacs walked away with four out of a possible six in the series — and perhaps more importantly, confidence.

Malcom Baar March 1 Interview on Lakeland Connect

Playing with Urgency

Mercier made it clear the team is treating this stretch like the post-season.

“If we were going into Game 3 of a playoff series, would we be switching goalies? The answer was no,” he said of sticking with Laurette. “We’re attacking this thing like playoffs. It is playoffs for us.”

The urgency has shown in the numbers:

• Bonnyville outscored Fort McMurray 12-7 over three games

• The Pontiacs outshot the Barons 119-97

• Four different players scored multiple goals in the series

Most importantly, they looked connected.

The pace was high. The forecheck was relentless. The group responded in key moments instead of folding.

Three games against the same opponent in five days can expose cracks. Instead, it revealed growth.

If this truly was a playoff rehearsal, the Pontiacs passed the test — and made a statement in the standings at the same time.