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Not the best start to the season for the Bonnyville Pontiacs.

A strange shot 16 seconds in found a way to beat Adam Gingras and the Pontiacs were down early last night. You had to wonder at that point would this young Pontiac squad fold the tents early or at least take a little while longer to get over the shell shock? Neither. The team came firing back and outshot Grand Prairie 11-3 in the first period and did find a way to not only tie the game but take a 2-1 lead to finish out the first period.

The first 10 minutes or so of the 2nd period went much like the first frame with the Pontiacs continuing to carry the play and with Craig Cuthbert picking up his 2nd goal and 3rd point of the night the Pontiacs looked good up 3-1. Some late momentum though, for the Storm might have been a sign of things to come in the third.

Outshooting the Pontiacs 12-6 in the third and pretty much only playing two lines in the third period led to the Grand Prairie comeback. Coach Mike Vandekamp's decision to roll his top two lines put the Pontiacs back on their heals and took the game away from them. Three goals in less than four minutes midway through the third was all G.P. needed to take the lead and hold on for the win.

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Craig Cuthbert looked great picking up his 3 points. His linemates also played will with Kirk Belyk assisting on all three goals and Beau Bertagnolli showing no signs he was out of place in his first AJHL game adding a goal and an assist himself.

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The Henry, Bates, Hennessey line generated chances on some shifts and while they created good shooting opportunities the shots always seemed to find the centre of the Storm crest on goaltender Chad Carder's chest.

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Carder played strong for the Storm showing why Grand Prairie would want to add the 20 year old in a trade from Olds just before the start of the season.

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I might be biased because I always enjoy free food but the pregame tail gate party seemed to go over very well.

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The Pontiacs practiced this morning before a day off tomorrow and a couple more practice days before Lloyd comes to town on Wednesday.

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Kool 101.3 will be handing out free "Rally Towels" for fans in attendance Wednesday night. Be sure to hold onto them throughout the season and bring them back to the games.