Class Dismissed, Game On! Pontiacs Welcome 1,480 Fans for Hockey Hooky

The Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs had a 3-1 lead, 44 shots on goal and 1,480 fans behind them Wednesday afternoon, but the Lloydminster Bobcats had the final say, scoring four unanswered third-period goals to steal a 5-3 victory at R.J. Lalonde Arena.

It was a heartbreaking finish to an afternoon that had just about everything else going right for the Yaks.

The inaugural Hockey Hooky game on November 4 brought students from six Lakeland schools into the stands, creating an electric atmosphere for one of the AJHL’s fiercest rivalries.

The Pontiacs gave those young fans plenty to cheer about, scoring three second-period goals, including firsts of the season from Ismail “Izzy” Abougouche and Dalton Pamenter.

But a two-goal lead wasn’t enough against a Bobcats team that refused to go away.

Lloydminster scored four times in the final 20 minutes, including an empty-netter with two seconds remaining, to end Bonnyville’s three-game winning streak.

Three Second-Period Goals Put the Yaks in Control

The Battle of the Border opened with a scoreless first period, although Lloydminster held a 12-8 advantage in shots.

Maverick Bell kept the Bobcats off the board, setting the stage for a much more explosive second period.

And the Yaks wasted absolutely no time getting started.

Just 31 seconds into the middle frame, Nicholas Morin buried his third goal of the season, with hometown forward Rylan Emigh and Brock MacDougall collecting the assists.

It was a fitting moment for Emigh, whose connection to the Pontiacs runs much deeper than his own rookie season.

Rylan is the third member of the Emigh family to wear a Pontiacs jersey, following in the footsteps of his father, Chad, and older brother, Cam.

Three members of one family, all representing Bonnyville’s Junior A hockey club.

And on an afternoon filled with young hockey fans, the hometown connection was a reminder of the generations of players and families who have helped build the Pontiacs’ 35-year history.

The goals kept coming.

At 4:41, Lac La Biche product Ismail “Izzy” Abougouche scored his first of the season, finishing a setup from Brady Whitehead to give Bonnyville a 2-0 advantage.

The celebration was barely over when Lloydminster answered.

Just 15 seconds later, Plourde scored his sixth of the campaign, cutting the Yaks’ lead to 2-1.

But Bonnyville wasn’t finished.

With 2:13 remaining in the period, Dalton Pamenter restored the two-goal cushion, scoring his first of the season at 17:47.

Bakker and Braeden Payne picked up the assists.

The Pontiacs outshot Lloydminster 18-9 in the second period, taking a 3-1 lead into the final 20 minutes.

With three consecutive victories already behind them, the Yaks looked to close in on a fourth.

Bobcats Erase Two-Goal Deficit in the Third

Lloydminster had other plans.

At 4:45 of the third period, Romanchuk scored to bring the Bobcats within one.

Then, at 9:31, Plourde struck again.

His second goal of the afternoon tied the game 3-3, wiping out Bonnyville’s two-goal advantage.

The Pontiacs continued to generate chances, firing 18 shots on goal in the third period alone.

But Bobcats goaltender Djomo was shutting the door.

With less than three minutes remaining, Tarnowski delivered the game-winner at 17:06, giving Lloydminster its first lead of the afternoon.

Bonnyville pulled Bell for the extra attacker in a final push to tie the game, but Birch found the empty net with just two seconds remaining.

The Bobcats completed the comeback with a 5-3 victory.

It was a difficult result for a Pontiacs team that had controlled much of the offensive pressure.

Bonnyville outshot Lloydminster 44-31 overall, including a commanding 36-19 advantage over the final two periods.

Djomo finished with 41 saves, while Bell stopped 26 of the 30 shots he faced before the empty-net goal.

Neither team capitalized on the power play, with Bonnyville going 0-for-1 and Lloydminster finishing 0-for-2.

The Yaks had generated the opportunities. They just couldn’t find the finish when they needed it most.

Hockey Hooky Brings 1,480 Fans to R.J. Lalonde Arena

While the final score wasn’t what the Pontiacs had hoped for, the inaugural Hockey Hooky game was a win for the community.

Students from Duclos Elementary, H.E. Bourgoin, École des Beaux-Lacs, Iron River, Ardmore and Kehewin traded their classrooms for the stands at R.J. Lalonde Arena, joining a crowd of 1,480 for a special afternoon of Junior A hockey.

The school-day matchup brought a different kind of energy to the rink, with young fans cheering alongside their classmates, celebrating goals and experiencing the excitement of the Battle of the Border.

For Pontiacs head coach Chad Mercier, the atmosphere was something special.

“It was tremendous,” Mercier told Lakeland Connect following the game.

Mercier reflected on what an afternoon like Hockey Hooky can mean to young fans.

“As a student you look up to these guys, and you remember it for the rest of your lives.”

The players were just as excited about the opportunity to play in front of so many students.

“Unfortunately, we come out with a loss in it. But I know these guys, our players were really excited to play in front of them. The energy was awesome, and hopefully they enjoyed it.”

For an organization celebrating its 35th season, the afternoon was about more than the scoreboard.

It was an opportunity to connect young fans with their hometown team, introduce a new generation to Junior A hockey and create memories that could last long after the final buzzer.

And with three generations of the Emigh family connection to the club on display through Rylan’s participation, it was another reminder of how deeply the Pontiacs are woven into the community.

 

Three-Game Winning Streak Comes to an End

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak that had seen the Pontiacs find success both on the road and at home.

Bonnyville entered Wednesday’s matchup following a 2-1 victory over the Drayton Valley Thunder on October 30 and a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against the Calgary Canucks on November 1.

The Yaks had been finding ways to win close games, but Wednesday’s third-period collapse was a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in the AJHL.

There were positives to take away.

Morin continued contributing offensively from the blue line with his third goal of the season.

Abougouche and Pamenter each broke through with their first goals of the campaign.

Emigh added another assist, continuing to build his own chapter in the Pontiacs’ history.

And with 44 shots on goal, Bonnyville demonstrated its ability to generate sustained offensive pressure against a strong opponent.

But after carrying a 3-1 lead into the third period, the Yaks will be looking for a stronger finish the next time they take the ice.

Up Next: Devon Xtreme Visit Bonnyville Friday

The Pontiacs won’t have to wait long for another opportunity to bounce back.

Friday, November 6 — Devon Xtreme at Bonnyville Pontiacs

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at R.J. Lalonde Arena.

Mercier expects another competitive matchup against a Devon team with veteran experience and offensive depth.

“It’s going to be another tight one,” Mercier said.

“They’ve got some depth up front. They’ve got some veteran guys, and they can scoot and go. They’re a little more of a transitional team.”

For the Pontiacs, the focus is on getting back to their game and putting together a complete 60-minute performance.

“We’ve just got to be better at our game than they are at theirs.”

Fans can catch Michael Menzies on the play-by-play with Lakeland Connect, with game photos and continued Pontiacs coverage also available through Lakeland Connect.