WEDNESDAY

Well... one more game before the all star break or for everyone not named Steven Seigo and Ashton Hewson, one more game before 8 days off. The Pontiacs expect at least a couple of their injured players to be back for their February 6th game in Olds but will still be short handed tonight.

It looks like they won't be the only team missing a chunk of their lineup tonight but the Sherwood Park Crusaders will be missing players for a whole other reason. Suspensions.

The Cru got into a little dust up in Spruce Grove last night with 36 seconds to play in what was a 9-5 game at the time. While no suspensions have been posted on ajhl.ca, and there usually are at this point, this does not mean there are none forthcoming. It is my understanding that Vice President of Officials George McCorry is taking his time with these suspensions in order to make sure he has the full story.

The number of line brawls and off ice incidents seem to have gone up over the last month. The fact the playoffs are getting closer may have something to do with it but this broadcaster wouldn't be surprised if, at some point, the league steps in and makes an example of somebody to try and get these shenanigans to stop. I'm not saying it will come with the Crusaders and Saints but I think we have to be getting close to a tipping point.

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It's the final regular season meeting between Bonnyville and Sherwood Park with the Pontiacs trailing 3-2 in the season series so far. This meeting marks the first meeting in Bonnyville since a December 3rd meeting when the Crusader bench got into it with the Pontiacs crowd and then following the 3-0 Bonnyville win there was the small matter of the bill. There were some damages to a Centennial Centre locker room that had to be paid for. I'm sure all has been forgotten.

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Records GP W L T OTL PTS
Sherwood Park 53 37 15 0 1 75
Bonnyville 53 29 19 1 4 63

PP (League Rank)
Sherwood Park: 20% (6) 60/306 Road: 23% (3) 34/145
Bonnyville: 21% (5) 57/277 Home: 21% (5) 28/133

PK (League Rank)
Sherwood Park: 86% (2) 43/311 Road: 84% (5) 21/133
Bonnyville: 81% (11) 57/297 Home: 80% (12) 27/135

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The Pontiacs spent a good chunk of practice time working on their penalty kill this week. They have killed off penalties at a paltry 60% rate on this recent four game losing streak.

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Check ajhl.ca for a Pontiacs related all star game press release later this afternoon.