Oil Barons Game Preview (Oct 25 & 26 Roadtrip)

Story Coming In:

Last weekend, the Oil Barons fell to the nation’s 10th ranked Canmore Eagles in a pair of one goal games. The rookies played well, led by Griffin Gidney and Cade Petersen, who each had two point nights against the Eagles. Despite Fort McMurray averaging the fewest goals for at 2.31, they are middle of the road in goals against with 2.92, good for 6th. Filion also boasts the 7th best goals against average at 2.23, while playing the third most minutes in the league. If there’s one area the Oil Barons want to improve in, it’s their play in the second period. Over the first 13 games of the year, Fort McMurray has been outshot 113-159 and outscored 9-14 in second periods, while first periods sees them even in goal difference and they’ve outshot their opposition in the thirds. The MOB are also looking to restart their power-play, which is sitting 11th in the AJHL.

View From Olds & Drayton Valley:

The Grizzlys have been one of the surprises this season. Sitting over .500 with a 7-5 record, Olds is just outside a playoff spot with two games in hand on the Camrose Kodiaks. Led by the lethal power-play, which ranks number one in the AJHL, the Griz lean on a score by committee approach, receiving 10+ points from Antonio Bevacqua, Mitch Patrick, Braeden Veldhuizen and Jonathan Doucette. While the Grizzlys are near the bottom of the league in terms of goals against, it has been improving steadily behind the play of Ben Dardis and Aidan Fischer, both of which have goals against averages below 3.00 and a shutout to their credit. Meanwhile, the Drayton Valley Thunder have stalled since the AJHL Showcase. Currently on a four game losing streak, the Thunder won once since the showcase. Cooper Brown leads the team in points with 11, while Drayton Valley sits at 9th in average goals against. Special teams has also been a concern for the Thunder, with both units sitting in the bottom half of the league.

 

Stats Leaders For Fort McMurray:

Goals: Schmidt (5)

Assists: Akkouche (8)

Points: Akkouche (12)

PIM: Redlick (46)

Goalies: Filion: 5-4-1-0, 2.23 GAA, 0.929%