It's been a hot minute since I did an update and the busy Oil Barons schedule is a big reason for it. Six games in nine days, plus the first southern road swing of the year makes for very little free time for this broadcaster. That said, the Barons had what I'll call a positive road trip. Currently on a three game point streak, taking five of a possible eight points on the road, check mark for the MOB!
To sum up this road trip, one saw a lot of firsts. For starters, the Oil Barons had to get creative in between the pipes. With a potentially long term injury to Berney Weston and the team waiting for paperwork to be approved for Brendan Gee at the start of the trip, Fort McMurray leaned on a couple of affiliated goalies. It paid off! Sergio Davidson made 45 saves in a 4-3 loss versus Drumheller, and the Portland Winterhawk's prospect showed flashes of brilliance, proving why he's a highly rated goalie. It was enough that the Calgary product made the trip back north to be available as an emergency back-up. Then there's Kasey Fuson. The St Albert product was terrific in relief duty for the injured Weston last Saturday versus Whitecourt. This week, he got his first AJHL start against the Olds Grizzlys, picking up his first career win. Fuson is a calm goalie, capable of making the big saves, playing bigger than his 5'11" frame. With some international experience with the Indonesian U18 team, the future also appears to be bright for Fuson, and the Barons goalie situation down the road. Let's continue on with the firsts, this time from a couple of 20-year-olds. Gee made his Oil Barons debut on Friday against Canmore. The Vancouver product scooped up his first career shutout in his 74th career game. Other than a flurry of chances in the first three minutes of the game and a shorthanded breakaway in the second, it was a straight forward night for Gee. And there's Ryan Arnold. In his 229th career game, the most experienced player in the AJHL nabbed his first career hat trick, with a goal on the power-play, shorthanded and even strength against the Grizzlys. It was a memorable week for several Oil Barons on the road!
It was great to see a couple Barons break out this week. After a quiet start to the year, Fort McMurray got plenty of production from Leo Adams, Lucas McDonald Drew Freer. Adams and Freer both are on three game point streaks with six points during that span, while McDonald found the back of the net three times, earning five points over those two games. All three entered the road trip with the feeling that they needed to do more offensively for their team and they answered the bell. Combine them with the top line of Arnold, Dumais and Gauchier, and Fort McMurray has some serious depth on offence. Speaking of that top line, what a week for them, especially Arnold and Dumais. Ryan Arnold now is on a five game point streak and could be a candidate for Player of the Week with ten points during that span. Meanwhile, Justin Dumais had a very productive road trip with nine points. For continued success, you need your top players to be your best players. So far so good for the MOB.
Around the League:
While the Barons had a good southern road trip, the Grande Prairie Storm struggled on their trip. GP only managed a 6-5 overtime win over Olds on Saturday, while dropping the other three games to fall to 8-9-1 on the season, only a point above Bonnyville for the final playoff spot. It's hard to put your finger on what has plagued the Storm this season. There's enough returning pieces that chemistry shouldn't be an issue. They have at times outplayed their opposition, only to find themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard. It's really a mystery as to why Grande Prairie is in their current position.
I really liked a comment from Calgary Canucks' associate coach Brandon Kozun when I asked him about the game plan for going up against Fort McMurray on Saturday. He told me that right now he isn't overly worried about wins and losses, but rather progress and consistency. He noted he didn't want the team to peak in November but rather at the end of the year, using his experience with the Calgary Hitmen from his playing days as examples. It is a very interesting mindset to have and there's a lot of truth to it. If there is a time to face adversity, teams rather it would be now in November rather than March.
Lloydminster continues to roll! The Bobcats have a league high four game active winning streak, while being led by Jade Iyogun on offence. The former Melville Millionaire is on an eight game point streak and has been the catalyst for his team. What's even more impressive, Lloydminster is doing this without the likes of Matthew Kondro, who appears to have been called up full time to the WHL after Red Deer traded starting goaltender Chase Wutzke. Once again, it shows that coach Eric Labrosse can get more out of his roster than most. With massive games at home against Bonnyville and Grande Prairie this weekend, it's an opportunity for the Bobcats to really solidify themselves as a North Division contender.
Wrap Up:
Fort McMurray returns home for a pair of games that in my eyes are crucial. Drayton Valley enters Centerfire Place having lost five games in a row. They are also 0-5-1 against North Division teams this season. The Oil Barons need to take advantage to really separate themselves from the pretenders. With offence heating up from the MOB, consisting of several players contributing to the team's success, they should be able to come away with four points. The biggest question, can the defence match the offence and can the team find consistency. If they answer both questions with a resounding yes, Fort McMurray will be poised for a massive jump in the standings.
Oil Barons Games This Week:
Saturday, November 15th vs Drayton Valley @ 7pm
Sunday, November 16th vs Drayton Valley @2pm
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