It was a busy week for the Pontiacs both on and off the ice. Picking up four of a possible six points in a tight northern division race.
Tuesday's game the Pontiacs hosted the Spruce Grove Saints collecting a 7-2 win. Isaac Saniga and Ryan Piche both scored their sixth goals of the season in the first period.
In the second, Jake Gresh scored a power play goal in his first shift back from an injury, and Derek Brown found the score sheet.
Three goals in the third from Trygve Many Guns, Jared Power and PJ Marrocco gave the Pontiacs a 7-2 win.
After the game head coach Rick Swan spoke about the players he has added to the Pontiacs and how they've helped so far this season.
“You look at Marrocco from the Camrose Kodiaks, Brendan Holterhus from the Spruce Grove Saints, and Mitch Oliver from the Vernon Vipers, I have the RCMP wandering around outside with three hockey teams coming after me wanting to charge me with theft. Those guys have done nothing but rise,” said Swan jokingly.
As the Pontiacs moved into the weekend, once again they added some new faces into the lineup.
Dylan Stewart came from the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League where he played 143 games. He'd been a member of the Pontiacs back in the 2013-2014 season where he played two games.
“It's a really good dressing room, they are all positive and they are all about having fun in there and getting wild. It's good to be a part of it. Don't know all their little cheers that they do yet, but I'll get used to that,” Stewart said.
“He'll play more of a 200-foot role and an offensive role with us. He is a player that in December, January and February is just going to be a horse,” explained Swan.
Another new member to the team, Riley Smith, was picked up in a trade with the Olds Grizzlys. Smith, played for team Canada West during last year's World Junior A Challenge, and was on the NHL watch list last season.
“It's awesome, it's basically everything I was looking forward to when I got the call to come here. It's a great group of guys and a great coaching staff. I have found out they also have great fans; it's a great atmosphere here. No complaints so far, I love it,” said Smith.
“Smith was a guy that I knew very well, we tried to recruit him here before he went to Olds, 6'5”, 210 pounds, he has a reach and he can skate,” explained Swan. “When he became available we were very interested.”
In return, the Pontiacs sent Jared Power who in the words of Swan is “a good citizen and a good player.”
The Pontiacs also moved Ludvig Adamsen to the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
During Friday's game Smith was able to find the back of the net. He was the only goal for Bonnyville until the third period when Marrocco, Holterhus, and Gawlicki scored for a 4-2 win.
The Pontiacs were only able to get 16 shots through the first 40 minutes of the hockey game, but then found their footing and doubled their shots on net in the final period.
“The beauty about this game is that it's 60 minutes, in the first 40 we had been pressured as hard any team had ever done to us,” said Swan.
Saturday evening the Canmore Eagles came to town. This game brought another face into the lineup. Gen Bryshun made his return from injury.
“I've been skating for a longtime now, so stepping back into the lineup just felt like nothing ever happened. I felt good out there,” said Bryshun.
Ultimately the Pontiacs discipline cost them the game, giving Canmore seven power play opportunities.
“We keep shooting ourselves in the foot, internally our guys need to make sure they care enough and are able to stay disciplined,” added Swan.
The Pontiacs lost 5-2 in the game and gave up three power play goals throughout. Oliver and Gawlicki recorded the two goals for Bonnyville.
The Pontiacs next home game is Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. against the Grande Prairie Storm.
