Story Coming In:
Fort McMurray wraps up a five game road trip in Whitecourt. With a week off after four games in five days, the Oil Barons should be well rested as they take on a formidable foe. The MOB are 2-2 so far on the road trip and clinging to fourth place in the North Division. Only managing a single goal in their last two games, Fort McMurray hopes to break out offensively and get themselves back into the win column. Goaltender Vincent Filion continues to be exceptional, being among the league leaders in wins, saves, save percentage and minutes played. Meanwhile, newly named captain Danny Akkouche is in the top five in the AJHL in points, despite the team struggling to find goals. If the Oil Barons can find a way to get goal scoring up and down the lineup, they will become another threat in the North Division.
View From Whitecourt:
Once again, the Wolverines are a contender for the AJHL crown. Led by back to back coach of the year Shawn Martin, Whitecourt has reloaded with a deep offence and a stingy defence. It all starts in between the pipes with Zac Onyskiw. The Edmonton product is first in the league with wins, goals against average and save percentage. From there, Xavier Lacoste leads all defencemen in points, while rookie Tyler Rowland has been a revelation on the backend. The forward core is also deep with 20-year-old Dylan Ruptash among the league leaders in goals scored, and they also return Travis Verbeek from the BCHL, the Wolverines’ leading point getter from last season. Sitting one point back of Grande Prairie for first in the North Division, Whitecourt eyes another banner to go with last year’s regular season title.
Stats Leaders For Fort McMurray:
Goals: Akkouche (8)
Assists: Akkouche (13)
Points: Akkouche (21)
PIM: Redlick (52)
Goalies: Filion: 8-7-1-0, 2.34 GAA, 0.924%
