Fort McMurray wrapped up a five game road trip with a 4-3 triumph in overtime against the Whitecourt Wolverines. Charles-Olivier Villeneuve had a pair of goals including the overtime winner, Justin Dumais and Ryan Arnold each had a goal themselves, while Vincent Filion turned aside 28 shots in the win.
Despite an excellent first ten minutes from the Oil Barons, the Wolverines opened the scoring in the first period. Jalen Bianchet drove to the net, falling on Filion in the process, allowing Xavier Lacoste to follow up the play, putting home his second goal of the season. Whitecourt doubled their lead before the end of the first period. Dwayne Jean Jr shot for the far pad of Filion and the rebound slid to Ethan Short, who made no mistake making it 2-0 Wolverines. Fort McMurray responded in the second period. Less than two minutes in, Carter Schmidt carried the puck into the offensive zone. He pushed it free for Dustin Good, who found a wide open Dumais on the left wing and the Longueuil, Quebec product snapped the puck top corner to cut the Whitecourt lead in half. The MOB went on to tie up the hockey game. Arnold forced a turnover at his own blue-line, just as the Oil Barons killed off a penalty. The 19-year-old forward sped away on a breakaway, lifting the puck over the pads of Zac Onyskiw for his fifth goal of the season. Both Onyskiw and Filion stood on their heads, making sensational save after sensational save. The third period started with a spirited fight between Spencer Kunz and Stefan Serediak, and the two teams didn’t see another goal until there was five minutes remaining in the third period. Fort McMurray got their first lead of the hockey game. Villeneuve carried the puck down the left wing and fired a shot from the goal line, which found its way through Onyskiw. However, Whitecourt equalized just 43 seconds later. A shot from Lacoste at the point was deflected by Travis Verbeek, and the puck bounced through the five hole of Filion sending the two teams to overtime. It didn’t take long for the Oil Barons to find the game winner. Patani Mutambo carried the puck down the left wing and cut to the middle of the ice. The rookie defender spotted Villeneuve coming off the bench and left the puck for the Quebec product in the slot. Villeneuve wasted no time getting a shot off, beating Onyskiw over the glove and gifting Fort McMurray with a 4-3 win.
The rematch between the two teams will take place at Centerfire Place. The MOB and Wolverines will square off Friday and Saturday nights, with puck drop for both games at 7:30pm.
Get your tickets online here: https://tickets.fortmcmurrayoilbarons.ca/
