Story Coming In:
The Oil Barons are finding results in 2025. The Blue and Gold won three of a four game homestand to kickstart the new year, and find themselves ten points up on the Bonnyville Pontiacs for the final playoff spot in the North. In addition, Fort McMurray are eyeing home ice in the first round of the playoffs, with the Oil Barons four points back of Lloydminster and five back of Grande Prairie. The addition of Mason Finley has been paying dividends for the MOB. The veteran forward has formed a stellar line with Carter Schmidt and Justin Dumais, with the trio combining for 14 points since the holiday break. Vincent Filion continues to be a rock for the Oil Barons. The native of Shawinigan, Quebec leads the league in wins, saves and minutes played, while getting every win by a goalie for the Oil Barons this season.
View From Whitecourt & Bonnyville:
The North Division leaders are off to a slow start in 2025. Whitecourt dropped their first three games of the new year, giving up a lead in each game, before they righted the ship with a convincing 7-1 win over the Olds Grizzlys. With a nine point buffer atop the division, the Wolverines look to lock up back to back division titles for the first time since moving to Whitecourt. The Pontiacs enter the weekend searching for their first win of 2025. Bonnyville has scored the first goal in each game, but haven’t closed out a contest and find themselves ten points out of a playoff spot with 22 games remaining on their schedule. The Pontiacs will continue to lean on Myles Gauld and Cody Butikis to lead the way, while hoping rookies Porter Byrd-Leitner, Christophe Lussier and Rockston Ror-Chow can find another gear to bring consistency to their offence.
Stats Leaders For Fort McMurray:
Goals: Akkouche, Arnold & Schmidt (13)
Assists: Akkouche & Villeneuve (19)
Points: Akkouche (32)
PIM: Nordstrom (81)
Goalies: Filion: 17-12-1-1, 2.43 GAA, 0.923%