Finally Some Action

To say I'm glad hockey is back would be an understatement. Don't get me wrong, summer was fun with family time, seeing my younger brother get married, calling baseball games, etc. But getting to get back in the booth and broadcast the good ole hockey game provides a sense of calm and belonging. The action came fast and furious this week! Four preseason games in five days on the road put my voice right back into mid-season mode. The week also came with its own challenges (from unusual broadcast locations to my Rodecaster giving me grief), but again it was good to be back.

For the majority of the four games this week, the MOB elected to go young and allow the prospects to battle for roster spots. It was a bumpy ride if you look at the results. The team went 0-4, outscored 9-22 in the process. That said, there were some positives to pull from the contests. Compete level was high from the team, the Oil Barons looked like a team that won't back down from a fight, and the boys do appear to be coachable. Now it's a matter of finding some chemistry on the team, which was the major bugaboo throughout the week.

 

As always during these auditions, a couple of players grab your attention. 2008-born Noah Kelly was tremendous for the Oil Barons in every game he played. With two goals and a helper, he was tied for the team lead in points in the preseason. Speed and tenacity are the calling cards for the Cochrane, Alberta kid. Kelly is like that junkyard bulldog who will not back down from a fight, but also has a nose for the net, willing to do what it takes to produce. He could be one of the rookies that makes the team and have a solid rookie campaign in the AJHL.

Lucas McDonald is a player who is coming off one season of junior hockey. To say his rookie campaign with the Blackfalds Bulldogs was disappointing is putting it mildly. However, McDonald does have offensive flair to his game. He has proven it with 58 points in 34 games with the Vancouver NE Chiefs in U18 hockey two seasons ago, and you could see flashes of that ability in the two preseason games he played this week. The biggest thing may be building the New Westminster, BC boy's confidence. With the right linemates, McDonald could have an impactful season for the MOB.

Aedan McCarry was a fun 16 year old to watch. The McCarry family has connections to the Oil Barons, with older brother Nick having played 34 games with Fort McMurray. Despite being small in stature, Aedan played with heart that endeared himself with his teammates. Him stepping in for overaged forward Drew Freer was a perfect example of how much passion he can bring to this team. A year of U18 hockey with Calgary International Hockey Academy would be beneficial for the youngster, however, the Calgary kid did not look out of place in the AJHL. McCarry is also on the radar of the Spokane Chiefs, who also had his older brother for half a season.

Of all the veterans, Griffin Gidney stood out the most for the Oil Barons. Sure he scored the most goals, with three, but he looks like he is ready to take on a larger role with the team. Gidney is the type of player who will do anything for his coaches. He's involved in every scrum, will go to the dirty areas of the ice and block every shot he can get himself in front of. During a week where a lot of veterans were disappointing, Gidney was not. I'm not saying that Griffin will have a 30 goal season. He isn't the team's biggest offensive threat. But a guy who can chip in with 12-15 goals and play tough minutes on a grinder line, that could be the perfect outcome for the second year forward from Calgary.

Two games remain in the preseason for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. It appears to be a very difficult test as they battle in Slave Lake against one of the favored teams in the North Division, the Grande Prairie Storm. This weekend could see both teams primarily using their opening night rosters, trying to get themselves primed for September 19th. With a couple of roster spots still up for grabs, it will be a highly competitive weekend. Oil Barons fans would love to see results on the scoreboard. From my perspective, this team needs at least one win. Something to get the confidence going. The coaching staff has preached playing with pride in the defensive zone, going hard to net, and outworking the opposition. It will be anything but easy against the North Division champs. But if the Oil Barons can get a split, it may remove the monkey from their backs as they get set to open the season against the Lloydminster Bobcats.

Fri. September 12th vs Grande Prairie in Slave Lake (7pm start)

Sat. September 13th vs Grande Prairie in Slave Lake (2pm start)