K.C. Jordan, LJI Journalist
The Pontiac Senior Comets’ first home opener in almost five years ended in a 6-4 loss to the South Stormont Mustangs on Sunday evening.
The team, which found a new league this season after a hiatus, held its opening game of the Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (EOSHL) season at the Shawville arena due to a mechanical failure at its usual rink, the Centre de Loisirs des Draveurs Century 21 Elite in Fort Coulonge.
The building was brimming with fans anxiously anticipating the team’s return to play. The Comets players were met with whoops and cheers from the crowd during pregame introductions, with special emphasis for assistant captain Quinn O’Brien and head captain Darcy Findlay, both of whom are native Pontiacers.
Before the game, MRC Pontiac warden Jane Toller as well as mayors from Shawville, Clarendon, Fort Coulonge, and Mansfield and Pontefract were on hand for a ceremonial puck drop.
Then, the real puck drop. The Comets dominated possession of the puck in the first period, getting out to a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Keyshawn Francis and Dominic Jalbert.
The second period saw one goal from each team, putting the Comets ahead 3-1 heading into the final frame. Then, the Mustangs started to mount a third-period comeback, scoring a burst of five goals, including two in the final six minutes, to win the game 6-4.
Team captain Darcy Findlay said his team gave up advantages to the Mustangs with bad line changes and poorly timed penalties, which allowed their opponents to take the lead.
“As soon as we gave them a powerplay or two, we gave them that momentum, which allowed them to have confidence,” he said.
Head coach Luc Danis said they made some mistakes in the third period, but acknowledged the Mustangs’ experience was what allowed them to come back.
“We’re still a young team, we’re still learning to play with each other,” he said, adding that the chemistry will come as the season progresses.
Findlay said despite the loss the team is going to take the positives out of today’s game, including improving team chemistry with the team’s core group of players.
“We’re very excited for what’s going to come. Every week is going to get better, the speed is going to get faster, everyone’s physical shape is going to get better, and then of course team chemistry starts to build,” he said.
Findlay, who last played competitive hockey with the Comets in the 2019-2020 season, said it was nice to be back on the ice, especially in front of the Shawville hometown crowd.
“In the unfortunate circumstances we’re making the best we can,” he said of the last-minute venue change, adding that they are trying to find ways to involve the entire Pontiac community.
In addition to adding new sponsors from the Shawville area, the team distributed free tickets to all local schools this week in hopes of gaining some new fans.
The team had two flagbearers at Sunday’s game, one from each minor hockey association in the Pontiac. Ozzie Carmichael of the Shawville and District Minor Hockey Association and Nathan Belair of Hockey mineure Fort Coulonge skated around the rink carrying Comets flags, getting fans pumped up for player introductions.
Findlay said they hope to do more things like this to get local kids involved, including bringing minor teams out to line up with the Comets for the national anthem.
The Comets have now lost three of their last four games, putting them in fourth place in the Capital division.
The team will play the Glengarry Pipers on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in Shawville.