Story Coming In:
Oil Baron fans were treated to a fun and wild home opening weekend against the Drumheller Dragons. Fort McMurray took away three of a possible four points with a crazy 8-7 overtime loss and a convincing 4-1 win. Ryan Arnold set the tone offensively with five points, Cash Brebant and Carter Ellsworth had their first career AJHL goals, and Berney Wetson was terrific in his home debut turning aside 31 of a possible 32 shots. Special teams led to success and defeat over home opening weekend. On Thursday, the team gave up three power-play goals in the loss, before following it up with a perfect seven for seven effort on Friday. That penalty kill is now ranked second in the AJHL, while the power-play sits at fifth. Last season, Fort McMurray went 1-3-0 against the Canucks. Outside of an 8-0 thrashing by Calgary at the AJHL Showcase, every game was competitive and decided by three goals or less.
View From Calgary:
The Canucks are having a surprising start to the 2025/26 season. With only five players returning from the Centennial Cup winning team, many people thought Calgary would take a few steps back. Instead, the Canucks came out flying, winning four of their first five games. Harper Lolacher and Grant Reid pace the offence with nine points each, while comeback story of the year and former Oil Baron, Noah Nelson has started the year with a perfect 4-0-0 record in goal. The Canucks have found early success against North Division teams. Calgary is a spotless 3-0-0 vs the North, out scoring them 11-5. With them sitting in third place in the South Division and having games in hand, the Canucks are looking to string wins together and close the gap between themselves and both Canmore and Drumheller.
Stats Leaders:
Goals: Arnold (5)
Assists: Several at (3)
Points: Arnold (8)
PIM: Nordstrom (21)
Goalie: Cunningham 1-2-1-0, 4.06 GAA, .888 SV%, 1 SO
Weston 1-1-0-0, 3.50 GAA, .904 SV%
