Story Coming In:
Tuesday’s win for the Oil Barons could be a turning point. The 6-3 victory over Bonnyville had all the signs of what makes Fort McMurray successful. Depth scoring with the fourth line chipping in with a pair of goals. The top guns were rolling with the number one line combining for six points. Excellent goaltender along with structured penalty kill and defence. Now comes the tricky part for the MOB and that is finding consistency. Fort McMurray currently is stuck in the thick of an entertaining race for a playoff spot. Sitting third at 29 points, the Oil Barons are three points back of Lloydminster for second, while two points ahead of Grande Prairie and Bonnyville and slipping out of a playoff spot. Getting set to start the final three games at Centerfire Place in 2025, these six points are massive in helping the MOB solidify their postseason chances.
View From Whitecourt:
Since playing the Oil Barons on November 1st, the Wolverines have gone 6-2-0, maintaining first place in the AJHL. Jalen Bianchet continues to lead the charge offensively. The Whitecourt captain is on a seven game point streak and has a league high 28 goals. Defence is probably Whitecourt’s most impressive calling card. The Wolverines have given up more than two goals once, since last playing the MOB. Both goaltenders are numbers one and two in the league in major statistical categories. While Luke McKechnie is away representing team Canada West at the Junior A World Challenge, Elliott Pratt is more than capable of carrying the load. What separates Whitecourt from most teams in the AJHL is their depth. Ten players have put up ten or more points so far this season, with four being over a point a game.
Stats Leaders:
Goals: Arnold (18)
Assists: Dumais (24)
Points: Dumais (36)
PIM: Gidney (62)
Goalie: Gee 4-2-2-1, 2.63 GAA, .924 SV%, 1SO
