Story Coming In:
Friday was a punch in the mouth against the Oil Barons. Being shutout for the first time this season, Fort McMurray looks to answer the wake up call in another pivotal showdown against a Northern foe. The MOB will face Bonnyville without the services of Patani Mutambo, who has been suspended for the third time this season. However, this provides an opportunity for the youth of Fort McMurray’s defence, which has played a key role in their success so far. Meanwhile, the Oil Barons are hoping history repeats itself. Last time they took on the Pontiacs, they were coming off a difficult loss. Fort McMurray went on to double up Bonnyville 6-3, triggering a 6-1-1 run through the month of December. With the North Division playoff race continuing to heat up, a streak similar to December would be enough to put the Oil Barons into the postseason for the second straight season.
View From Bonnyville:
Since a convincing performance against Canmore at the AJHL Showcase, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for the Pontiacs. Chad Mercier’s bunch has dropped three in a row, as they battle through a stretch of eight out of ten games away from the RJ Lalonde Arena. Since putting up six goals against the Eagles, the offence has sputtered. Only five goals have been scored over the last three games, and a team that once was third in average goals per game dropped to seventh. That said, it’s still a very dangerous Pontiacs team. Bonnyville has a trio of Maxwell Pendy, Christophe Lussier and Lucas Knorr, who are all in the top 20 of league scoring, while Gavin Harrison leads all rookies in points. Add in key pieces in Ben Costantino, Maxim Shushov and Brynn Maclean, and Bonnyville is a deep group. Nathan Salisbury has also had a solid rookie season in between the pipes. The Edmonton native has played the second most minutes in the league, making the third most saves, while tallying the fourth most wins.
Stats Leaders:
Goals: Arnold (26)
Assists: Dumais (42)
Points: Dumais (65)
PIM: Gidney (97)
Goalie: Gee 12-5-2-1, 3.00 GAA, .915 SV%, 1SO
