The Shawville Pontiacs saw their nine-game winning streak come to smashing halt on Saturday night as they lost 6-5 away to the South Stormont Mustangs.
It was the second game of a weekend doubleheader that started on Friday night against the Paugan Falls Rapids. The game drew over 400 fans into the Shawville arena for the final season matchup between the league’s two Quebec-based teams.
After losing the first season matchup 7-3, the Rapids flooded the net early, scoring the game’s two opening goals. Pontiacs forward Joey Brennan got one back for his team within a minute, resulting in a 2-1 deficit at the second intermission.
Third-period goals from captain Quinn O’Brien and recent acquisition Vincent Maisonneuve propelled the home team in front, while goalie Danick Boisvert shut the door on any further goals from their Quebec rivals. The Pontiacs held on for a 3-2 final score.
The team’s Saturday night matchup was another close affair. The host Mustangs, who play out of Long Sault, Ont., got out to a slow start, surrendering four of the game’s first six goals to the visiting Pontiacs. Pontiacs goals went to Jonathan Joanette, Joey Brennan, Kyle Lusignan, and Vincent Maisonneuve.
But the Mustangs mounted a comeback, scoring three of the next four goals to get back level with the visitors at 5-5. Then, one final tally from the hosts by Zachary Poirier sealed the deal as the Pontiacs were not able to level the score.
Head coach Darcy Findlay said the team finished the game with seven skaters on the bench. A slew of Pontiacs penalties didn’t help matters, nor did injuries to two of his team’s forwards.
“We got the short end of everything. Anything that could have went against us did,” Findlay said.
The loss marks the end of a nine-game winning streak for the Pontiacs, who sit in second place in the Pioneer division with a record of 9-2. The Manotick Mariners, the first-place team, remain undefeated this season at 11-0.
Before the game, the Pontiacs’ player of the month award for November was given to forward Joey Brennan, who posted six points in three games throughout the month.
The Pontiacs will look to reset on Friday, Dec. 19 at home as they face the North Dundas Rockets, who currently sit in first place in the Frontier division with an 8-1 record.
