Being able to hang onto a lead helped the Ponoka Calnash Trucking Atom team stay close to the division leaders.
The locals improved their Tier 5 Price division record to four wins and one loss by posting a pair victories on home ice on the weekend - 13-4 over Stettler on Saturday, Dec. 5 and clutching onto a lead to defeat Sundre 9-7 on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Head coach Mike Heidt was more than pleased with the offensive output, but it was the ability to play some stellar defense late in the game against Sundre that impressed him even more.
The scoring started early in that one, with Ponoka’s Jackson Badry finding the twine only eight seconds into the game. Dacian Heinz would make it 2-0 two minutes later only to have Sundre score a pair 50 second apart around the seven minute mark of the first period. However, Ponoka would score three more later in the period with Daylan Owen getting a pair and Heinz notching his second of the game.
The furious scoring pace continued in the second with Badry earning his second of the game 40 seconds into the middle period before Sundre scored three times in a five-minute span to close the gap.
However, Nathan Parker’s goal with seven minutes left in the second combined with Owen notching his hat trick goal late in the frame would prove key as Sundre would draw closer in the third with two more, before the tension was released as Badry got his hat trick with just over a minute left.
Saturday’s contest was pretty much done early on with Ponoka putting up a 7-0 lead after the first period.
Parker led the way with four goals on the day, while Owen and Badry scored three a piece. Reannah Wood, Heinz and Carter Karwandy had the other goals for Ponoka.
The squad’s next action will see them hit the road to face Sylvan Lake on Sunday, Dec. 13.
Other weekend action for Ponoka teams saw the Fountain Tire Midgets fall 6-4 Sunday in Sedgewick, the Lacoka female Midgets give in to 4-1 to Camrose on Saturday, the PeeWee A Elks earn a pair of victories at home - 4-3 Saturday over Stettler then get past Maskwacis 8-7 on Sunday and the Atom A McDonalds squad take two on the road by defeating Blackfalds 7-4 on Friday night then edging Sylvan Lake 3-1 on Sunday.