Story Coming In:
In their return from the Christmas break, the Oil Barons split their home weekend set against the Grande Prairie Storm. Carter Schmidt and Justin Dumais led the charge in the team’s 4-3 win on Saturday, and the MOB got off to a great start on Sunday, but Grande Prairie scored five straight en route to a 6-3 win. The power-play was successful for the Oil Barons over the weekend scoring three times on 12 chances. Fort McMurray will look to continue to build on the success as they try to elevate their 10th ranked man advantage. One recent concern the blue and gold may have is goals against. In each of their last five games, the Oil Barons have given up three or more goals, while posting a 1-4 record during that stretch. If the MOB can restore their defensive prowess and combine it with a steady offence, then Fort McMurray has an excellent opportunity to separate themselves from the teams below them in the standings.
View From Drayton Valley & Bonnyville:
The Thunder are looking to jump into the thick of the playoff race. With points in four straight games, Drayton Valley is six points out of a playoff spot, with three games in hand on the Drumheller Dragons. Offence has led the way, as Drayton Valley has scored three or more goals in every game during their points streak. The power-play has also been dangerous for the Thunder, which has climbed to 3rd in the AJHL with goals in three straight. Bonnyville is the team directly competing with the Oil Barons for the final playoff spot in the North. The Pontiacs are having an unsuccessful start to the new year, having dropped their first two games back from the Christmas break to Olds and Calgary. Rookie Dayton Reschny has been impressive for Ayrton Nikkel’s bunch. The Macklin, Saskatchewan native has points in seven straight games, with four of them being multi-point contests. With the departure of Kailus Green via trade, Reschny is also tied with Myles Gauld for the team lead in points.
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Stats Leaders For Fort McMurray:
Goals: Akkouche, Arnold, Schmidt & Villeneuve (12)
Assists: Villeneuve (19)
Points: Villeneuve (31)
PIM: Kunz (77)
Goalies: Filion: 15-12-1-1, 2.49 GAA, 0.921%
