Steve Wojcik didn't get star recognition at Saturday night's game between the Grande Prairie Storm and Bonnyville Pontiacs in Bonnyville, but he should be acknowledge for his efforts.
In most part because of a third-period line brawl the Bonnyville scorekeeper was writing up a storm, so to speak, while the Pontiacs rolled to a 4-0 win.
Sixteen of the 40 infraction insertions Wojcik had to make over the course of the game (with 24 of those in the third) came as a result of the brawl – which took place just five seconds into the third period.
The melee involved the Cote brothers – Cruz and Walker – and teammate Landon Vollman – all Peace Country boys – while the participating Bonnyville players were Mitchell Oliver and P.J. Marrocco.
Walker Cote, Vollman, Oliver and Marrocco all got double game misconducts and fighting majors (and no doubt suspensions for fighting after a fight had already started) while Cruz Cote received a game misconduct, fighting major and minor for instigating. The Storm also received a bench minor to put a bow on the package of penalties.
Ironically, in a game that saw 19 powerplay opportunities, with 12 of those going to the Pontiacs, there were no powerplay goals.
While Wojcik wasn't name a Bonnyville star, Pontiacs goaltender Robert Jacobson was. The 19-year-old Calabasas, California native recorded his second shutout of the season while stopping all 25 shots directed his way by the Storm. At the other end GP netminder Arik Weersink faced 42.
With just 10 seconds to go in the first period Brandon Whistle scored to get the Pontiacs on the board. Dylan Stewart's made it 2-0 with 2:27 to go in the middle stanza and then Tyler Podgorenko scored with just 36 remaining the second to make it 3-0. Aldon Dupuis finished it off for the Pontiacs at 8:14 of the third.
The loss did not hurt the Storm placing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League North Division standings. They still hold down sixth place with 30 points – four up on the Drayton Valley Thunder, who didn't play Saturday, and nine ahead of the last place Lloydminster Bobcats, who lost 4-2 to the Camrose Kodiaks Saturday.
The Storm now head to Sherwood Park on Sunday to complete the first half of their six-game road trip, which continues with a southern Alberta swing next weekend. They return home Feb. 10-11 to face the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.