It was a massive win for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. In a dominating performance, the MOB defeated the Bonnyville Pontiacs 4-1, putting eight points between the two teams for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division. Ryan Arnold led the charge with two goals and a helper, captain Danny Akkouche and Leo Adams had a pair of points each, while Vincent Filion got his 50th career win in net.
The Oil Barons jumped out to an early lead. Leo Adams forced a turnover in the offensive zone and as the rookie wrapped in behind the net, he picked out a wide open Ryan Arnold who one-timed the puck off the post and in for Arnold’s sixth goal of the season. Fort McMurray had several opportunities to extend their lead in the first, but Cody Butikis made some outstanding saves to keep the Pontiacs within one. Vincent Filion also made a stellar stop in the first period. The former Oil Baron Cade Meiklejohn broke out on the breakaway, and Filion robbed him with the right pad, one of 34 saves made by the veteran netminder from Shawinigan, Quebec. The MOB got some insurance in the second period. Adams sped down the left wing into Bonnyville’s zone. He threw a pass to a wide open Arnold on the right side, and the forward from Spruce Grove faked the shot and tucked it around the right pad of Butikis for his second goal of the game. The Pontiacs responded before the end of the period on the power-play. A shot from Kailus Green hit the shoulder of Filion and went straight up in the air. Kyle Kalamaras then batted the puck with his stick, cutting the Oil Barons lead in half. However, it was Fort McMurray who found an extra gear in the third period. Less than four minutes in, Drew Freer went from right corner to left corner with a pass that picked out Charles Olivier Villeneuve. Villeneuve then threw the puck in front for Louis Charles Cunningham, who snapped home his first goal as an Oil Baron, making it 3-1 Fort McMurray. The MOB then scored their first shorthanded goal of the season. Arnold poked the puck ahead for Danny Akkouche. The captain held off Meiklejohn and threw a shot on target that rattled off the pads of Butikis and in for Akkouche’s 10th goal of the season. Fort McMurray then locked things down and walked away with the 4-1 victory.
The Oil Barons are back in action on Friday for one of the most anticipated games of the season. The Calgary Canucks come to town as Fort McMurray hosts their annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Puck drop at Centerfire Place is at 6pm.
Get your tickets here: https://tickets.fortmcmurrayoilbarons.ca/events/30632-calgary-canucks-vs-fort-mcmurray-oil-barons
