In the first of the playoff series, the Eckville Eagles won the final game 9-4 against the Bonnyville Pontiacs. In a game full of fights and penalties, the Eagles had a tougher battle than they expected.
“It was a big win. A lot harder than we thought it was going to be,” Eckville Eagle’s coach Cale Walker said. “They came ready to play a lot more than we did,” he said, adding that the Eagles got a little “desperate” this game.
The Eagle’s Kyle Sheen started the scoring immediately off a feed from Derek Wiedmer. Later on in the first period, the Eagles kept the lead with Andrew Coles scoring their second goal assisted by Sheen.
During a power play shortly after, Pontiac’s Mike Desjarlais scored their team’s first goal with teammates Beau Ferbey and Devon Kalinski assisting.
The Eagles kept moving forward with their third goal made by James Dobni and assisted by teammate Brian Pieper near the end of first period.
The Eagles held onto their lead, starting third period with a goal from Matt Richardson, assisted by Brendan Lamb and Kyle Sheen. They continued immediately after with their fifth goal made by Brendan Lamb from Vince Connon and Jared Williams. Matt Richardson scored the Eagle’s sixth goal, assisted by Jagger Bowles and Lamb before the Pontiacs had a chance to score again.
Bonnyville fought back during second period and it showed in the penalties with the Pontiacs ending up with 11 penalties to the Eagle’s three.
Pontiac’s Tanner Corbeil scored Bonnyville’s second goal, fed by teammates Desjarlais and Ferbey mid-way through second period but the Eagles kept pulling ahead with their seventh goal from Scott Kallis, assisted by teammates Matt Schmermund and Sheen.
In another power play close to the end of second period, the Pontiac’s Chad Schultheiss scored their third goal with teammate’s Ferbey and Ty Carey.
About halfway through third period Lucas Isley of the Pontiacs scored their fourth and final goal of the game with assistance from Ty Carey and Denis Cadrin.
The Eagle’s Kallis scored his second goal of the game and the team’s eighth goal with teammates Schmermund and Sheen. Finalizing their win, Scott Doucet of the Eagles scored their ninth goal assisted by Schmermund and Andrew Coles
Walker attributes the Eagle’s win to the Pontiac’s reliance on two lines.
“We just kinda wore them out,” he said. “They’re obviously a good team as a whole but they do rely on two lines in particular. It’s easier when you have all four lines and everyone stays in it and nobody gets tired.
Walker also credits the Eagle’s win to goalie Travis Yonkman.
“He’s the reason we won tonight and today - he’s a big part of it.”
The team plays Daysland in the next playoff series.
“That will be a totally different series. It will be rough and tough and hard,” Walker said.
There are three weeks left until provincials so Walker is hoping to get the next series started next weekend. Check the North Central Hockey League website for updates on upcoming playoff games.
myra.nicks@eckvilleecho.com
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