FORT MCMURRAY, AB (November 22, 2014) – The Whitecourt Wolverines scored the go-ahead goal in third period, holding off a late attack by the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (14-12-3) to pick up the 3-2 win.
Whitecourt kicked off the scoring midway through the first, when Morgan Messenger scored for the second time in as many games, putting the Wolverines up by 1.
Two minutes after that, the Barons scored off a fortuitious bounce, when a Zach Wittenburg dump-in took a funny carom off the glass, sliding in past Joshua Dechaine to tie the game 1-1.
26 seconds later, Jetlan Houcher (Paradise Valley, AB) picked off a pass in the offensive zone, and snapped a shot under the blocker of Dechaine to give the Barons the 2-1 lead.
But the Wolverines were able to tie it up three-and-a-half minutes later, when Dylan Thudium beat Zach Fortin (St. Jerome, PQ), tying things up at 2 after the first period.
The teams played to a scoreless second, though things got a little chippier as Justin Young was given a major boarding penalty and game misconduct after a hit on Kyle Star (Langley, BC).
Seven minutes into the third, Bryson Traptow banged home a rebound on the powerplay, giving the Wolverines the eventual game-winning goal.
The Barons kept the pressure on late in the third, finishing the game with 40 shots.
Fortin made 29 saves in a tough losing effort.
With the loss, the Barons remain two points back of Sherwood Park for third place in the North.
Up next for the Barons, a two-game homestand against the Grande Prairie Storm next Friday and Saturday nights (Nov. 28-29).
Tickets are availabe at the Oil Barons box office, or online at oilbarons.com
KAOS 91.1 3 stars:
3. Morgan Messenger (1G)
2. James Vermeulen (1A)
1. Joshua Dechaine (38sv/40sh)