Story Coming In:
Last week was a successful one for the Oil Barons. With a goal of winning two of their three games, the MOB did just that with victories over Blackfalds and Grande Prairie. Noah Heinrich had points in all three games which included his first goal as an Oil Baron, Evan Arnold tallied four assists over the weekend, while Vincent Lamanna had a three point weekend which included the game winner on Saturday. For the most part, the coaching staff really liked the team’s work ethic throughout the week, adding that Saturday night was probably the best team game the Oil Barons played all season. Fort McMurray still needs results heading into their weekend road trip, as going into Friday, they are still one point out of a playoff spot. The Oil Barons have already beaten Canmore and claimed two wins over Calgary, and they are looking to lean on that success as they continue to push for a playoff spot.
View From Canmore, Okotoks & Calgary:
November was an up and down month for the Canmore Eagles. The Eagles posted a 6-6 record, pushing them into 12th place in the AJHL standings, but leaving themonly three points above the playoff line. Canmore has been leaning on the likes of Logan Ziegler, Brody Tallman and Tyler Loughman (who recently committed to Lindenwood University), on offense, while former Western Hockey League players in Josh Hoekstra and Nathan McPherson-Ridgewell continue to be dangerous for Canmore. The Eagles will have to make due without the services of Matthew Kieper in goal. The Winnipeg product was called up to the Swift Current Broncos and is expected to remain there for the rest of the season. Despite dealing with a number of injuries, Okotoks has been red hot as of late. Winners of their last five games in a row, the Oilers have leaned on their veterans to get them through a tumultuous part of their schedule. Western Michigan commit Sam Huck and Hunter Sawka are both in the top 15 in league scoring, while Alexander Scheiwiller has posted a 10-3 record in net. Okotoks has also been a difficult team to beat at home, having only dropped 4 of 14 games at the Centennial Centre, heading into the weekend. The Calgary Canucks are holding on to their position in the top 5 of the AJHL standings. Despite giving up nine more goals then they have scored, the Canucks continue to find ways to win. However, a stumble by Calgary could see them tumble down the standings, as only four points separate them from Grande Prairie in 9th. The Canucks lean on a strong offense to carry them, which has several pieces including Bowden Singleton, Gavin Garland, Julien Gervais and former Oil Barons Ty Hipkin and Chris Kobelka. Julien Molinaro continues to have an excellent season in the Canucks’ goal, as his .920 save percentage ranks in the AJHL’s top 5 among qualified goaltenders.
Stats Leaders For Fort McMurray:
Goals: Gaul (11)
Assists: Evan Arnold (12)
Points: Gruener (17)
PIM: Hoogendoorn (45)
Goalies: Nelson: 5-5-0-1, 3.23 GAA, 0.920%, 1 SO
Gratton: 4-11-1-1, 3.59 GAA, 0.906%