Story Coming In:
It’s a massive month for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Coming off a 1-1-1 record on their three-game trek through Central Alberta, including points in back-to-back contests, the Oil Barons play seven of their next nine games at home, with eight of those games against teams within three points of them in standings. Consistency has been the buzz word for the Oil Barons. If the MOB can find it, the opportunity is there to make a move in the standings. Simon Gaul and Keefe Gruener are leading the way offensively, while Evan Arnold is starting to get back into form, after putting up three points in his last four games. Speaking of rounding back into form, Gabe Gratton is coming off a stellar weekend. Over the two games he played in he posted a 1-0-1 record, stopping 96 of 100 shots, including 57 in a shootout victory over Blackfalds. The penalty kill also deserves praise for the Oil Barons, which was a perfect 9-for-9 over the weekend.
View From Canmore:
The Eagles sit one point above the playoff line. In danger of being overtaken by Drayton Valley, Canmore looks to shake off a rocky start to the season and surge up the standings. Unfortunately, the Eagles possess the worst goal differential (-41) and the worst penalty kill in the AJHL (72%). For the Bow Valley boys, improvements in those areas are crucial to hold on to a playoff spot. They have made some intriguing additions to their roster, in former WHL’ers Josh Hoekstra and Nathan MacPherson-Ridgewell. They will look to help take the pressure off Logan Ziegler and Brody Tallman in kick-starting the offense. Nolan Kazeil will also make his return to Centerfire Place after spending his first year with the Oil Barons.
Stats Leaders For Fort McMurray:
Goals: Gaul (7)
Assists: Ringor (7)
Points: Gruener & Gaul (11)
PIM: Schmidt (36)
Goalies: Nelson: 3-4-0-1, 2.84 GAA, 0.929%, 1 SO
Gratton: 3-6-1-1, 3.81 GAA, 0.905%