FORT McMURRAY, AB – (February 27, 2015) – Zach Fortin (St. Jérome, PQ) made 35 saves, and Trent Lofthouse (Surrey, BC) scored two goals, as the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (31-22-6) blanked the Lloydminster Bobcats 3-0.
The MOB got off to a good start in the first, when the Bobcats took an early penalty for kneeing.
Then 18 seconds into the powerplay, Zach Wittenburg (Chestermere, AB) wired one past Devin Green to give the Barons a 1-0 lead.
But the Bobcats controlled much of the opening 20 minutes, firing 12 shots Fortin's way, only to be denied by the MOB goaltender.
In the second, the Barons killed off an early man advantage early on, and then went up a man two minutes later.
Once again the Barons struck quickly, as Lofthouse fired one home 25 seconds into the powerplay, extending the Barons lead to 2-0.
The remainder of the second saw both teams get good scoring chances, but all were unable to beat the respective goaltenders.
In the third, the Bobcats continued to pressure, firing another 12 shots Fortin's way.
But the Barons held the lead, while also killing off a big powerplay with three-and-a-half minutes to play, leading to Lofthouse's empty netter, sealing the victory with 52 seconds to play.
The 35-save shutout was Fortin's fourth on the season, while Green made 22 stops in the Lloydminster net.
The win coupled with a Bonnyville shootout loss means the Oil Barons still have a shot at third place in the North – providing they beat the Bobcats tomorrow and the Pontiacs lose in Spruce Grove.
Up next for the MOB, the regular season finale is a re-match with the Bobcats at the Casman Centre tomorrow night.
Puck drop is at 8:00 with the pregame show at 7:45 on KAOS 91.1.
3. Brett McNeil
2. Zach Wittenburg (1G/1A)
1. Zach Fortin (35 save shutout)
