Dec 6 Game Recap - Pontiacs win 8th in a row

Our Pontiacs were back in action on Saturday, December 6 vs. Akwesasne Wild in the first ever match-up between the two newest NPHL clubs.

The 3-5-0-0 Wild have been hot as of late, led by veteran forward Greg Gibson who leads his team with 18 pts in 8 games played.

The Pontiacs were entering the weekend after an off week, a bit of a concern for Findlay.

"Although our records been good, we've had two off weeks in the past month. It's tough enough to have line up consistency at this level due to personal commitments, having two rare weeks off in a months time makes it hard to build momentum. I know that sounds funny after 8 straight wins, but as a staff you always want to improve off each week and feel the season build momentum."

The Pontiacs made significant roster moves in the past 10 days according to Findlay. "We've added incredible- impactful players". Defensemen Vincent Maisonneuve (UOttawa), Loik Plouffe (Columbus RiverDragons), Philippe Bureau-Blais (Laval LNAH) and forwards Joel Caron-Belleville (Laval), Anthony DeLuca (Laval) and Jonathan Joanette (Laval). 

"To be able and add these players to our roster without removing a single player from our first 8 games of the season is incredible. It adds so much depth and provides options down the road".

The Pontiacs came out strong in the first period of play outshooting the Wild 24-9 and leading 1-0 at the break. Shawville's first goal of the game came from new comer Anthony DeLuca, a shot from the slot that fooled Wild goaltender Corey Garrow. The Pontiacs had lots of first period chances and kept Akwesasne to the exterior on the rink for the majority of the period. 

That didn't slow the Wild down, scoring 3 of the next 4 goals and forcing the Pontiacs to become more desperate. "It wasn't that we were taking them lightly, but there were a few bad bounces that changed the momentum briefly" said Findlay. "We had a breakaway blown down for a delayed penalty (that was meant for the Wild), a defensemen then lost his skate blade, and they scored. Errors happen, its nothing we control so we need to be able to shake it off".

 Shawville forward Raphael Lafontaine scored a beauty with assists to Jacob Roy-Lauzon and Joel Caron-Belleville ripped one over the Wild glove assisted by Joanette and Bujold. Just like that the game was tied 3-3 at the break.

Half way through the third period the Wild took the lead once again with a back door net drive from Mathieu Sabourin. But the Pontiacs answered back with three of their own, all from recent additions Bureau-Blais (2) and Joel Caron once again. 

"We had a completely different looking lineup and we still gutted out the two points. That's what mattered in the end" says Findlay.

Pontiacs took home two stars of the game in the win.

Caron-Belleville - First Star (2 goals, 2 assists)

Roy-Lauzon - Third Star (3 assists)

For the complete box score summary visit

https://www.nphlhockey.ca/stats#/988/game/1097770/boxscore

The Pontiacs are back in action at home this Friday evening, December 12 vs division rival Paugan Falls Rapids. The Battle of Quebec round2 is all set, with Shawville leading 1-0-0.

Tickets for Friday's home game are available at 

https://events.frontdoor.plus/host/237