Story Coming In:
Fort McMurray wrapped up their southern road trip with a three game point streak, taking five of a possible eight points. Ryan Arnold and Justin Dumais led the way offensively, each having seven points on the trip. Meanwhile, Drew Freer and Leo Adams had six points each, with Lucas McDonald breaking out with five. It was also a week of firsts for the Oil Barons. Arnold got his first career hat trick in his 229th junior game. Brendan Gee napped his first career shutout in his Oil Barons debut, and affiliated goaltender Kasey Fuson scooped up his first career win in his first AJHL start. Now the MOB return home, where they’ve been terrific this year. Fort McMurray is 6-1-2 at Centerfire Place, while also going 4-1-3 against the South Division. One big key to success for the Barons has been their special teams, both units are ranked in the top half of the AJHL standings.
View From Drayton Valley:
It’s been a very up and down season for the Thunder. Coming into the season as one of the league’s youngest teams, there has been some growing pains for Drayton Valley. Entering this weekend, the Thunder have lost five games in a row. Injuries to key players has hindered Jeff Truitt’s group, seeing one of their top scorers in Daniel Zhou go down, as well as veteran defender Keston Beagle. A couple of players who have had breakout seasons are defenceman Taynton Lavender and forward Jack Sears. Lavender leads all defenders in goals and points, while Sears has eclipsed his point totals from last season. This weekend sees Drayton Valley trying to tackle a problem of theirs this season. The Thunder are still looking for their first win against a North Division foe. Drayton Valley is 0-5-1 against northern opponents this year.
Stats Leaders:
Goals: Arnold (14)
Assists: Dumais (15)
Points: Arnold & Dumais (22)
PIM: Gidney (54)
Goalie: Gee 1-0-1-0, 2.47 GAA, .918 SV%, 1SO
