It was a bye week for the Oil Barons. It's something I never get used to, over a week between games. A chance to catch up or get ahead of the curve before one of the busiest stretches of the season for the MOB. The real question is how beneficial is the extended time off for the team? That's a hard one to say and it won't be truly answered until the Oil Barons go head to head with Whitecourt on Friday. On one hand, it gives Fort McMurray a chance to heal up. Rest up the injured players to get themselves close to a full roster. It gives them extra time to game plan for the top team in the league. A Whitecourt squad that already was victorious 6-2 over the Barons at JDA Place in the MOB's worst loss of the season. The extra time off allows Fort McMurray to be prepared to extract revenge on home ice. On the other side of the coin, with how well the MOB has been playing, you almost don't want to see the break. You want to see if the team can keep the momentum rolling, especially with them riding a seven game point streak. Again, it is difficult to say how this "bye week" will affect the team. Fans across the league should be watching Friday and Saturday's games with intrigue.
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There are warning bells ringing in Grande Prairie. I wouldn't say I'm surprised by the weekend split with Bonnyville, but I did not see a 9-1 loss in the cards. That was a shocking score line! It showed the league the potential of the Pontiacs and the current state of the Storm. One big reason why Grande Prairie shouldn't push the panic button are the players out due to injury. Three 20s are out in Zachary Wilson, Ethan Kronewitt and Matthew Gillard. That is a lot of missing leadership, plus Gillard is viewed as the linchpin of the defence. Wednesday and Thursday are important games for the Storm against Devon. Leland Gill needs a bounce back game in net (despite what the online scoring says, I was told from a broadcaster that he was in goal for all nine goals against on Saturday). In two divisional games against a young and upcoming foe eyeing a playoff spot, this could be a very interesting week for Grande Prairie.
The more I watch the South Division, the less I can figure it out. Every team, other than Olds, is floating around .500 and the division lead changes every day. Only two teams have a positive goal difference. One is the current top team, Canmore, who has played two more games than everyone else. The other is 5th placed Drayton Valley, who are three points out of a playoff spot. Lots was expected from Drumheller, who were firing out of the gate. They have cooled off considerably since playing Fort McMurray at the beginning of October and currently are on a three game losing skid. Calgary has been very up and down, looking like a team that is still trying to fit all the new pieces together. The Kodiaks have dropped four of their last five games. Then there's the Thunder, who are dealing with a couple key injuries and have been a team that takes one step forward, then a step back. To an outsider, the unpredictability is terrific! I'm sure for the teams involved, it's giving the coaches more grey hair.
Give Taylor Harnett his due, the Devon Xtreme are a fun team to watch! This is not last year's expansion organization that is trying to keep its head above water. This is a team that is young, hungry and is keen on making the postseason. Winners of three in a row and an opportunity to create some separation from themselves and Grande Prairie, this is a massive week for the league's newest team. Their success has been courtesy of goaltender Preston Lewis. The Sophomore netminder has given his team a chance to win every night. With only rookie Ben Deacon and returning forward Lucas Knorr over a point a game rate for the Xtreme, they need terrific goaltending and a grind it out mentality from the entire team. So far, it's working and it has Devon in a playoff spot. The biggest question for the Xtreme is if it's sustainable. A lot of indicators are pointing down. They average the fewest shots on goal, the fourth most shots against, both special teams units are in the bottom third of the league. However, with the veteran Harnett behind the bench, belief in the room, and if they can take advantage of some weakened teams in their division, Devon just may breakthrough this season.
Wrap Up:
This will be a massive couple of weeks for the Oil Barons. Not only do they face Whitecourt this weekend to wrap up a nine game home-stand, but immediately they hit the road for a Southern swing, playing six games in nine days. This is a prime opportunity for the MOB to prove they are one of the big boys in the AJHL. One story-line fans will be keeping their eye on this weekend is the battle of strength versus strength. Fort McMurray has not lost a game in regulation at home this season. Whitecourt has not lost a game on the road. Which record will prevail? You know the Oil Barons will be looking to avenge their biggest loss of the season against Whitecourt, and many would argue these are two different teams from the ones who went head to head in September. I have it marked down as the games of the week, course I'm also a little biased. As the calendar flips to November and winter starts to take its hold, action in the AJHL continues to heat up and it should be very entertaining in all corners of the province.
Oil Barons Games This Week:
Friday, October 31st vs Whitecourt 7pm
Saturday, November 1st vs Whitecourt 7pm
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