The depth of the Bonnyville Pontiacs was on display Saturday night as 15 players recorded points in an 8-0 drubbing of the visiting Calgary Canucks.
Forwards Chad Hurtubise and Kyler Hehn lead the offensive barrage. Hurtubise notched two goals and an assist, while Hehn chipped in with a goal and two assists.
“We came in here with a good mindset, stuck to our structure and things worked out for us,” said Hurtubise. “It was good to get on the score sheet. I was throwing pucks on net and they went in.”
Hurtubise was the lone Pontiac to score multiple goals in this game, as six other players also managed to find the back of the net.
The scoring was started by rookie Carter Rhine, a defenseman who was forced into a forward role due to the injuries on the roster.
In his second game playing on the wing Rhine jumped all over a rebound to record his third goal of the season. In two games playing up alongside Derek Brown and Charlie Gawlicki, Rhine has two goals, scoring in both games.
“I felt comfortable up there. Those guys made it easy for me,” said Rhine, who noted that the systems and structure of play took a while to get used to.
“There is a lot more strategy, but I did my best and played every shift as hard as I could.”
With less than four minutes remaining in the period Gen Bryshun found Bobby McMann open in the slot. The AJHL's leading scoring roofed his 19th of the year over the glove of Canucks net minder Calden Kreitz for the 2-0 lead.
Brandon Whistle converted on the powerplay three minutes later and Bonnyville went into the first intermission up 3-0.
With the Pontiacs up 4-0 midway through the second period, McMann was jumped by Calgary's Tye Hand and forced into a fight.
The play was exactly what the Pontiacs didn't want to happen, as McMann had just returned from an injury.
“Here is the top scorer in the league, he is getting slashed out there, he is a guy who we don't want in the penalty box ever, but he had no choice but to defend himself,” said Swan.
The ensuing power play saw Hehn convert and extend Bonnyville's lead to 5-0.
As the seconds were ticking down in the middle frame Hurtubise took the puck from goaltender Olivier Charest and worked his was up the ice.
“It was the end of a long shift. I was trying to get it deep,” said Hurtubise. “I threw it on net and I honestly don't know what happened. I think it just squeaked in.”
The goal came with 26-second left in the period, and added Charest name to the ever-growing list of players picking up points.
Hurtubise and defenseman Gen Bryshun would go on to add goals in the third period and the Pontiacs would coast to an 8-0 victory.
The win did come at a cost, as Bonnyville lost forward Garrett Jenkins with a separated shoulder. Jenkins joins Steenn Pasichnuk, Zach Mills, and Josh Borynec on the injured list.
“One when player comes in, one goes out,” said Swan. “A lot of people could look and feel sorry for us. We are looking at it as a great opportunity to give our young guys some valuable minutes.”
The Pontiacs are hoping to get Pasichnuk and Mills back into the lineup this week, which will see them play division rivals Whitecourt, Grande Prairie and Spruce Grove at home on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday night.
The Sherwood Park Crusaders continue to be a thorn in the side of the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
The Pontiacs dropped their third straight game to the Crusaders in Sherwood Park on Friday night, losing 6-4.
“I thought we played 50 good minutes and we deserved a better fate,” said Pontiacs head coach Rick Swan. “We played well enough to win, but obviously against a hot team like that you can't give them any opportunities.”
Bonnyville's Bryan Gerstenfeld got the team on the board 3:35 into the game, but the lead was short-lived.
The Crusaders would go on to score two goals in the back half of the period to take a 2-1 lead into the break.
Carter Rhine equalized on an unassisted effort 1:24 into the second, but again Sherwood Park answered right back.
Ryan Kruper scored shorthanded to put the Crusaders up 3-2.
Minutes later Garrett Jenkins would score to bring Bonnyville back even with the Crusaders.
Two quick goals from the Crusaders near the end of the second would pull them in front for good and they hung on for the 6-4 victory.
“I thought we battled hard, we just didn't get the right result,” said forward Chad Hurtubise.
