Power plays and penalty kills by the Bonnyville Pontiacs would be the difference in a close game Saturday night against the Dragons at the Drumheller Memorial Arena.
Bonnyville coming off a big win in Brooks the previous night would be entering Drumheller on a high. The Pontiacs, a very strong well coached team from the North have been playing some great hockey this season. The possible championship contenders were now facing a team that despite it’s continuous effort has had its troubles scoring as of late.
In the first period 5 on 5 action saw both teams give up very few scoring chances however the Dragons would have three scoring opportunities, one hitting the crossbar, one hitting the goal post and a scoring chance in the slot where Bonnyville’ s goalie made a great save. The Pontiacs would not have the same issue, with less than five minutes remaining in their power play they would open the scoring on a tip in front of the net to take a 1-0 lead.
Second period saw the Dragons put the pressure on resulting in a Bonnyville penalty. A minute later the Pontiacs goalie would knock off the net allowing another penalty and the Dragons a two man advantage. Unfortunately the Bonnyville goalie would hold the Dragons off. As time was expiring on the Dragons power play Drumheller would turn over the puck and the Pontiacs would go on a 2-0 rush giving them a shorthanded goal and a 2-0 lead. The Dragons however would not give up and would score to make it 2-1 at the end of the period.
The third period would start off with a Pontiac power play and on a shot from the point from a broken play the puck would somehow find the back of the net to give Bonnyville a 3-1 lead. Drumheller’s effort and continued pressure was apparent but they were unable to mount a comeback and the game would end 3-1 for Bonnyville.
Coach Curran, “It is easy to see why they are a good team and I personally thought we did a lot of good things tonight. Early on in the game we hit a crossbar and goal post and had a great chance in the slot but were unable to capitalize. Boys worked hard and that's all I can ask from them and with more efforts like that each night will get out of this hole we have dug for ourselves.”
The Dragons travel to Calgary to take on the Mustangs Monday, November 30 at 7:30pm.