Bonnyville, Devon and Lacombe Take 2-0 Series Leads
Monday, February 12, 2024 - Submitted by the NCHL
After last weekend's action, three teams are positioned to end their respective series.
The Bonnyville Pontiacs are poised to end the Westlock Warrior's season on Friday after taking both games of their home and home last weekend. The Pontiacs went into Westlock for game #1 and upset the home side 4-3 in overtime. Mark Ouelette was the overtime hero when he scored the winner shorthanded to put the Pontiacs up by a game. Others to score for the Pontiacs were Coltan Buchta, Scott Thackeray and Bryton Beattie and goaltender Ryan Weitzel was outstanding turning away 46 of 49 Warrior's shots. Replying for the Warriors were Bryce Van Brabant with two, and AJ Kupsch, while Spencer Hutton stopped 52 of 56 shots to take the loss.
The next afternoon, the teams met up for game #2 in Bonnyville where the Warriors came out hard and took a 2-0 first period lead into the dressing room. The Pontiacs woke up in the second period outscoring the Warriors 3-0 and then added two more in the third period to earn the 5-2 win. Pontiac's veteran Denis Cadrin led the way with a couple of goals, with singles coming from Zach Nedelec, Ryan Piche and Bailey Lonsberry. Drew Fleury picked up the win as he stopped 25 of 27 shots. Nathan Brown 1-1-2 and Allen Borle replyed for the Warriors and Spencer Hutson took the loss. Game #3 of goes in Westlock on Friday, with game #4 if necessary goes in Bonnyville on Saturday.
The Devon Barons also took a 2-0 lead in their series versus Morinville Kings as they trounced the Kings 16-3 in Morinville. A number of Barons had big nights - veteran Cody Issler 3-2-5, Trevor Posch 3-2-5, Chris Van Os-Shaw 1-4-5, Mason Kunka 2-3-5, Brody Beaullieu 2-2-4, Dayton Heino 1-2-3, Brandon Powlick 1-1-2, Austin Cunningham 1-1-2, and singles from Aaron Deleeuw and Aaron Fedyk. Muke Gudmanson had a relatively easy night turning away 15 of 18 shots. Micah Bonneville, Austin Grundner and Joel Grant replied for the Kings and Garrett Storms was diluged with 56 shots in what was a verylong night for the Kings. Game #3 of this series goes in Morinville on Thursday., and if a game #4 is necessary, it will be played in Devon on Friday.
Lacombe Generals took a 2-0 lead in their series with the Wetaskiwin Longhorns by virtue of their 5-4 overtime win on Saturday in Lacombe. Thomas Beretta, with his second of the night, ended it at the 12 minute mark of OT to put the Generals to within one win of moving on the the next round. Others to score for the Generals were Tyrell Bourk and veteran Colin Zimmer with two. Mac Engel picked up the win as the Longhorns pepered him with 46 shots. Replying for the Longhorns were AP Quentin Greenwood with two, Kyle Garagan and veteran Zach Ayotte had singles. Nick Schneider was busy as well as the Generals directed 51 shots his way. Game #3 goes on Wednesday in Lacombe, and if necessary game #4 goes in Wetaskiwin on Saturday.
The President's Cup champs Red Deer Rustlers battled back to edge the upstart Camrose Bruins 2-1 in Penhold on Saturday thanks to captain Mike Dempster's 1-1-2. Nate Higgins scored the winner halfway through the third period and goaltender Brodan Salmond shut the door as the Bruins pressed to tie the score. Replying for the Bruins was veteran Cole Gibson, and Curtis Skip was outstanding turning away 47 shots to keep his team close. Game #3 goes in Penhold on Friday, with game #4 back in Camrose on Saturday. If a 5th game is necessary, it will be played in Penhold on Sunday.
To recap this week's schedule
Wednesday - Wetaskiwin at Lacombe 8:00 - Game #3 Thursday - Devon at Morinville 8:00 - Game #3 Friday - Camrose at Red Deer 6:00 - Game #3 Friday - Lacombe at Wetaskiwin 7:30 Game #4 (if necesary) Friday - Bonnyville at Westlock 8:30 Game #3 Saturday - Morinville at Devon 8:00 Game #4 (if necessary) Saturday - Red Deer at Camrose 8:00 Game #4 Saturday - Westlock at Bonnyvile 8:30 Game #4 (if necessary) Saturday - Wetaskiwin at Lacombe 8:45 Game #5 (if necessary) Sunday - Bonnyville at Westlock 3:30 Game #5 (if necessary) Sunday - Morinville at Devon 5:45 Game #5 (if necessary) Game played in Millet. Sunday - Camrose at Red Deer 6:00 Game #5 (if necessary)
