WEDNESDAY

A 4-3 double overtime win for the Bonnyville Pontiacs but I have to start with who opened the scoring for Bonnyville. Defenseman Greg Brown scored his first goal as a member of the Pontiacs. Brown did not get a goal last season for the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL and before that he played in the OPJHL for the Lindsey Muskies where he had 2 goals in 44 games. His last goal was scored on January 19th, 2007 as he opened the scoring against Port Hope on route to an 5-1 Muskie win. 22 months and 87 games later Brown has bumped the slump. With his 3rd Junior A goal Brown's teams have won every time he has found the back of the net as his first Muskies goal was scored in an 8-1 win over Bancroft.

-----

It was one of those games last night that depended on your point of view. If you are a Pontiacs fan your team didn't start very well but got stronger as the night went on. If you are an Oil Barrons fan you are happy with how well your team played at the start but they couldn't complete a full 60 (or as it turned out a 68 minute) effort.

-----

Matt Halick scored his first goal as an Oil Barron and has points in all three games he's played with the team since being acquired from Brooks. He logged a lot of minutes up front for the MOB last night.

-----

Very surprising to see rookie Kirby Halcrow get the start yesterday. One can only assume Gord isn't too happy with Steven Legatto because he had an opportunity on the weekend rest his "number 1" guy if he chose to with a pair of South division opponents in town. Legatto should have been ready to go last night unless he is being bothered by some sort of injury and if neither of those is true I don't know why you would start your backup for such an important divisional game but when you win 500 games in this league you get to coach however you like.

-----

Shawn Bates and Ashton Hewson both had to be helped off the ice last night but both returned to action and both should be good to go this evening.

-----

As I write this the team is out for a walk around Fort McMurray. Time for a little bonding and some exercise.

-----

It's my fault that "THE VIEW DOWN 897" will be a little late this week. Watch though for John Spigott's story on Pontiacs forward Ashton Hewson for the magazine 'Hockey Now' available for free at most rinks around the province.