The Fort McMurray Oil Barons lost on home ice for just the second time this season, as the Sherwood Park Crusaders edged the MOB 4-3 Friday night at the Casman Centre. The Barons led 3-1 after 40 minutes, the Cru would battle back to tie the game and Caleb Belter's powerplay marker at 17:40 of the third period would be the game winner for the visiting team.
Jetlan Houcher started things off for the MOB, taking a pass from Mitch Vanderlaan and burying it at 7:27 of the opening frame. The Cru battled back and tied the game less than three minutes later, but the MOB would retake the lead with a short-handed goal from Alex Cromwell at 11:04 of the 1st period. The MOB would extend their lead early in the second period, with Ryan Bloom scoring his 22nd of the season less than a minute in to the middle frame.
Despite trailing by two goals after 40 minutes, the Crusaders were able to tie the game before the halfway mark of the third, with goals from Marshall Donald and former Baron Colten Meaver, who scored an unassisted shorthanded marker. A late penalty to MOB forward Kevin Miller would give the Crusaders a powerplay opportunity and Caleb Belter would find the back of the net to get the two points for Sherwood Park.
With the loss, the Barons' record is now 39-8-3. Both teams will battle it out again Saturday night at the Casman Centre. Puck drop is at 8 p.m.
Photo credit: Robert Murray/Fort McMurray Today
