The MOB ended the 2024/25 regular season on a high note with a 4-3 win over the Bonnyville Pontiacs, earning the team their first three game winning streak since December of 2022. Danny Akkouche had a pair of goals, Justin Dumais extended his point streak to seven games, while Gavin Melcher turned aside 24 shots in the victory.
Bonnyville opened the scoring quickly in the hockey game. 51 seconds in, an Oil Barons miscue allowed Myles Gauld to pick out a wide open Porter Byrd-Leitner, and the Rookie of the Year nominee beat Melcher with a one-timer. However, Fort McMurray tied the hockey game about one minute later. Nolan Eastwood’s shot deflected off a defender’s stick, and while Cody Butikis got a large piece of the puck, it still slowly rolled over the goal line for Eastwood’s sixth goal of the season. The teams had to wait till early in the second period for a breakthrough. Alex Coventry turned the puck over to Trennen Redlick two minutes in, and the rookie from St Albert charged down the wing, picking the top corner, short side on Butikis to make it 2-1 Fort McMurray. The Oil Barons found some insurance with one minute remaining in the period. Danny Akkouche finished off a beautiful passing play between himself, Dumais and Ryan Arnold, and the MOB’s lead became 3-1. The Pontiacs got one goal back in the third period. Christophe Lussier took advantage of an errand Oil Barons pass, drove to the net and beat Melcher with a backhander. Bonnyville pressed for an equalizer, but Danny Akkouche scored on an empty net for his second goal of the game, team leading 19th of the season to give the Oil Barons a 4-2 lead. Bonnyville got one last goal, authored by their graduating players to make it 4-3, but the MOB held on for their first win at the RJ Lalonde Arena since December 14th, 2022.
Fort McMurray’s next action is when they open the 2025 Inter Pipeline playoffs against the Whitecourt Wolverines. Games one and two are at JDA Place on Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd, puck drop for both games are at 7pm.
