Story Coming In:
Early in the week, things may have started to look bleak for the MOB, but now they appear to be flying high. The Oil Barons followed up losses to Lloydminster and Bonnyville with a weekend sweep of the Canmore Eagles. Not only is Fort McMurray back on track, but they are now 12 points up on the Pontiacs in a playoff spot. Several players led to the excellent weekend against the Eagles. Drew Freer now has points in three straight games. He was also named the AJHL’s player of the week. Justin Dumais continues his pursuit for the most points in the league. He formed an excellent line with Leo Adams and Cade Petersen. Meanwhile, Jayden Lazare, Patani Mutambo and the rest of the Oil Barons defence looked tremendous over the weekend. Fort McMurray will be spending a lot of time away from home for the rest of the season. With every game against a team below them in the league standings, the MOB’s fate for the postseason is in their own hands.
View From Drayton Valley & Camrose:
The Thunder are a team building for next season. Since the Christmas break, Drayton Valley has only won twice, 5-4 in overtime over Devon and 4-2 over Drumheller. Injuries have hampered the Thunder, with only two players having played all 42 games so far this season. Despite this, there have been a couple bright spots. Taynton Lavender leads all defencemen in points and is the only player on Drayton Valley over a point per game. Daniel Zhou and Jack Sears have turned into solid offensive threats that are poised for a breakout season next year, and both special teams units are in the top half of the league. The Kodiaks are winners of three straight and are in the thick of a massive battle for first in the South. With seven of their last 11 games at home, Camrose is hoping to wrestle top spot away from Canmore and Drumheller. Liam Payne continues to pace the offence with 54 points, however, Tucker Tullikopf is the team’s most consistent producer with points in 19 of his last 23 games. The interesting storyline for the Kodiaks is the emergence of goaltender Connor Knorr. The rookie from Sherwood Park has been receiving more starts than veteran Carter Capton. All while producing better numbers than the veteran from Lethbridge.
Stats Leaders:
Goals: Arnold (27)
Assists: Dumais (44)
Points: Dumais (69)
PIM: Nordstrom (110)
Goalie: Gee 14-6-2-1, 3.00 GAA, .914 SV%, 1SO
