Pontiacs split the weekend 1W & 1L

The Pontiacs had a busy weekend starting at home Friday night vs. division rival Paugan Falls Rapids. The Battle of Quebec is always exciting, and the short trek between the close neighbor's makes for a great in house atmosphere. Over 400 fans gathered to watch the second round matchup between the two clubs. The Pontiacs took the first game on the road by a score of 7-3 back in early October.

The Pontiacs entered Friday night on an eight game win streak, but there's never an easy battle vs. well coached Rapids.

The hard working Rapids took the lead 1-0 with a goal from speedy forward, Mathieu Menard. Play was back and forth for the first 20 minutes, and Rapids goaltender Aidan Foley was sharp stopping all 16 of the Pontiacs first period shots. Credit Paugan Falls says Findlay, "the work ethic they bring every game is  admirable. There's no easy game against the division rival and we know that". Rapids led 1-0 at the break.

Pontiacs top line scored in the second with a goal from Joey Brennan, assisted by Pelletier and Arruda. The Pontiacs had many chances in the second frame but couldn't hit the net says Findlay. "We had some powerplay time, great opportunities in the high slot, but kept shooting the puck high and wide". The Pontiacs kept on the attack and continued to build on each and every shift. 

The third period continued to deliver and neither team wanted to give an inch. Pontiacs captain, Quinn O'Brien, gave the home team the lead early in the frame, assisted by recent addition Loik Plouffe and rookie forward William Bujold. The Pontiacs powerplay continued its hot streak when newcomer Vincent Maisonneuve added his first goal of the season and just like that the Pontiacs were up 3-2. 

Findlay had great praise for new blue line additions Maisonneuve and Plouffe. "Vincent has everything you look for in a defensemen. Solid footwork, a great stick and positioning, and the puck moving ability to help push the Pontiacs offense over the top". Loik Plouffe also joined the Pontiacs Friday evening and made an immediate impact. "Loik's only 21 years old and fresh out of junior hockey but he wasn't afraid to take control of the game with his puck skills. His footwork and confidence is contagious and is a welcoming addition to our defensive core.

The Pontiacs took round to of the Battle of Quebec 3-2, and swept the season series 2-0-0.

SATURDAY DEC 13 @ South Stormont Mustangs

Shawville rolled into Saturday night on the road vs. the South Stormont Mustangs. Two games in two nights is a rare occasion in the NPHL regular season, but the Pontiacs battled back and forth for sixty minutes with the chance to take home another two points.

Stormont came out strong, scoring just 15 seconds into the first frame. "The story of our season" said Findlay. "I've talked about it for weeks now, the need to be prepared, to be ready to battle early, and the focus needed from puck drop. We're loaded with talent, but our guys need to find a way to mentally prepare themselves better".

Trailing 1-0 from the the first shift of the game, the Pontiacs battled back. Two goals in five minutes, the Pontiacs were up 2-1. Recently signed forward Jonathan Joanette scored his first of the season from the slot, assisted by defesemen Philippe Bureau-Blais. And veteran forward Joey Brennan scored his first of two goals on the night, assisted by linemate Julien Arruda. Stormont's Connor Sills added one more for the home team before the ten minute mark of the opening frame, and that's where it ended, 2-2 at the break.

The Pontiacs had a better second period, outscoring Stormont three to two. Goals from Lusignan-Davis and Maisonneuve made it a 4-4 tie, before Brennan popped his second of the game from Joanette.  "Our core never game up, we're very happy with the effort from our boys. Short rostered and two games in two nights, we could see the heartbeat from our core guys". The Pontiacs led 5-4 after forty minutes.

The third period got feisty. "Just when you think you can't get hit with any more shortages, that's exactly what happened" says Findlay. "We showed up with 5 defensemen, played the last 14 minutes of the game with 3 available, lost two forwards to injury, and a third with a broken skate blade". The Pontiacs finished the game with 7 skaters on the bench, and the penalty filled third period didn't help the cause.

Findlay said "Too many penalties, short bodies, and tired players. Our message after two periods was 20 minutes to gut it out and battle through the mess. Unfortunately, the result didn't stick. However, each and every one of our players never gave up".

Saturday marked the first loss for the Pontiacs since the season opener back on October 4.

The Pontiacs run of 9 wins in a row is a great achievement. "A mark likely not going to be repeated by anyone in the league again this season" says Findlay. There's only one team with more wins in a row and that's division rival, the Manotick Mariners.

"Its a chance to re-evaluate and reset starting Friday night at home vs. defending champions, the North Dundas Rockets. This will be a must see match--up of the season" says Findlay.

Pontiacs #17 Joey Brennan was named third star of the game vs the Mustangs, with 2G, 1A.

Next home game: Friday Dec 19 (7:15pm warmup) vs. North Dundas Rockets

Game day tickets are available at https://events.frontdoor.plus/event/1564