The Bonnyville Pontiacs took a stranglehold on the season series against the Lloydminster Bobcats with a 4-0 victory tonight, pushing the Bobcats to 0-5 against their rivals this year.
After a scoreless first period, the Pontiacs got on the board in the second when Tyler Podgorenko stepped down off the blue line and lifted a shot over Bobcats goaltender Austin McGrath to put the visitors ahead 1-0 just shy of the midway point of the period.
Later in the second, with the Bobcats on the power play, Pontiacs forward Derek Brown stole the puck and took off up ice on a two on one with Isaac Saniga, electing to shoot and beating McGrath to make it 2-0 with 5:55 to go in the second period. The goal was Brown's second shorthanded goal of the year, and 23rd overall.
The Pontiacs would take a 2-0 lead into the third, and extended the lead to 4-0 on a pair of power play goals from Brandon Whistle to seal the victory.
Sandro Silvestre stopped all 19 shots for his second straight shutout, and the second of his AJHL career. McGrath was beat four times on 32 shots in the loss.
The Bobcats power play was unsuccessful tonight on four opportunities, and allowe a shorthanded goal against, while the Pontiacs struck twice on three power plays.
Lloydminster will now hit the road for four straight games, starting with a three-game swing this weekend through Okotoks, Olds, and Calgary starting in Okotoks on Friday night. You can catch the action on Real Country 95.9 with pre-game beginning at 6:45PM.