The Week That Was - October 6th

 Thursday was the craziest game I have ever called! I've witnessed some fun and wild games before, February 14th, 2023 is one of them where the team I was then calling games for, the Yorkton Terriers, almost erased a 5-0 and 6-2 deficit, falling 7-5 to Weyburn. But a home opener that consisted of 15 goals, overtime, a player who scored four in that game, a game tying marker with 5.3 seconds left! Yeah, that game was as wild as it got. Quick note about that Drew Freer late equalizer, that was the first time in my seven years of broadcasting that the team I worked for tied the game with less than ten seconds remaining in the period and with the goalie pulled.

I will say this, it was amazing to be back at Centerfire Place for the first time all season. The fans were terrific! Almost 1,500 both nights to see this year's version of the MOB. They were loud! You could tell how they felt about a disallowed Oil Barons goal with 45 seconds left on Thursday that would've tied the contest. You could feel the excitement when all three local kids found the back of the net. Fort McMurray reminded us why they have the best fans in the AJHL.

Not saying there is a goaltending controversy in Fort McMurray, but a battle for that starting job may be unfolding. Thursday was a bad night for any goalie, with the 15 goals scored. But Berney Weston's play on Friday was phenomenal! Yes, the Barons played a lot better defensively, but the Gull Lake, Saskatchewan kid was still tested multiple times and answered the bell almost all the time! His first two starts with the MOB were noticeable in an awesome way and Berney probably earned himself an extra start or two heading into the upcoming weekend. Fort McMurray would love nothing more than to find their next star goaltender and Weston could be that candidate.

How about the play of Ryan Arnold this past weekend? Yes, a lot of people look at Drumheller's Matthew Hilderman's four goal performance, but Arnold was the most consistent producer this weekend. Three points on Thursday, another goal on Friday, since scoring against Whitecourt last weekend, Ryan has tackled the AJHL with a vengance. Jaxen Gauchier also had a phenomenal weekend. The Peavine, Alberta product had shown flashes of his potential in his first weekend with the team, but this week he took it to another level. Scoring his first goal on a wicked snap shot, aggressive on the forecheck, Gauchier is a player that, I was told, could be a star if given the right opportunity. So far, I think it's safe to say he is beginning to live up to that billing.

I also have to throw a shout out to the Fort McMurray kids. How about all three of them combining for Cash Brebant's first career AJHL goal? That was one of the loudest pops in the building this weekend, when public address announcer, Jerry Neville, called out the Fort McMurray connection. The three of them looked like they belonged in the AJHL. That line was a threat throughout the week. After a season with no local players on the team, fans were starved to see the homegrown talent make the team and produce. So far, the three boys are doing that. And for Carter Ellsworth to score his first career goal against Drumheller, it probably doesn't taste much sweeter than that for him. The Dragons had Ellsworth on their squad through training camp and preseason. For him to stick it against his former team, in his hometown, that has to be a full circle moment for him.

Around The League:

There are no more undefeated teams in the AJHL. Canmore ensured that on their difficult three game, northwestern Alberta road swing. Casey Black had two goals and a helper in the third period on Saturday, as the Eagles upended the Whitecourt Wolverines 4-2. Whitecourt will have a quick turnaround to get back in the win column, as they host Bonnyville on Wednesday. Going back to Canmore, keep your eye on Cohen Daoust, Aidan Tkachuk and Will Lutic. They have been the heartbeat of the Eagles' offence and all in the league's top ten in scoring. Daoust is the only player in the AJHL with points in every game his team has played, Lutic is the reigning MVP of the week and Tkachuk is your prototypical power forward that makes life nasty for the opposition. If the Eagles can find consistency and depth scoring, they will be a danger this season.

It was an up and down weekend for a lot of teams, many of them winning one and losing one. I know earlier I said don't sleep on the Calgary Canucks, and the defending national champions are still a team you can't take lightly. But I wonder if their early success is sustainable. 21 goals on 185 shots leaves for a higher scoring percentage than normal. I feel like Noah Nelson has won a lot of games for the Canucks early in the season, maybe some they didn't quite deserve to win. Now could they find a way to continue winning games, sure, that's definitely in the cards. With an unprecedented 12 players with major junior experience, they have the talent to put together another stellar season. I'm just not quite sure what to make of Calgary. However, seeing them in person this weekend will provide some clarity.

Sure Whitecourt suffered their first loss of the season, but how about the play of Jalen Bianchet? The Wolverines captain found another level this season with 12 points in six games. Sure his season opening five game point streak was snapped on Saturday, but the Pickering, Ontario man is a threat every time he steps on the ice. Bianchet is the embodiment of what Shawn Martin wants from his teams and he can easily be in the league MVP race this season. 

And for the final league note, keep your eye on the Grande Prairie Storm, specifically goaltender Leland Gill. It has been a bit of a slow start for the Storm, currently sitting at 2-2-1 on the year. That said, Gill has provided some stability for Grande Prairie. His 1.62 goals against average and .950 save percentage are both tops in the league. His record is 2-0-0-1 and Grande Prairie has given up the fewest goals in the AJHL. Offence has not come easily to the Storm early on, but veterans like Colin Doherty and Ethan Kronewitt are starting to hit their stride. Once the offence catches up with the defence, which many believe will happen, Grande Prairie should shoot up the North Division standings and be a contender this season.

Wrap Up:

This should be a fun Thanksgiving weekend for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Last week was a glimpse into the potential of this team, not just sticking with the ninth ranked team in the nation, but at times outplaying them. Now it's the elusive pursuit of consistency. The test does not get any easier as the defending national champion, Calgary Canucks, come to town. There will be several intriguing story lines! The return of goaltender Noah Nelson, who has revived his career. He will enter the weekend with a perfect 4-0-0-0 record, the most wins by a goalie in the league, and a goals against average and save percentage ranked third. The offence led by Harper Lolacher and Grant Reid, while Connor Radke, Josh Kelly and Nicholas Anisimovicz all continue to settle into the lineup. With the Oil Barons trying to climb the tight North Division standings, this weekend should be a battle at Centerfire Place fans do not want to miss!

Oil Barons Upcoming Games:

Saturday, October 11th vs Calgary 7pm

Sunday, October 12th vs Calgary 2pm

All games can be found on the MOB Radio Network.