The Week That Was - December 29th

 It has been a Christmas break like no other! Personally, it has been full of blessings, which I'll get into later on, but it has also been a terrific opportunity to rest. There has also been several intriguing storylines heading into the break as the tale of the 2025/26 AJHL season continues to twist and turn.

Entering the month of December, I'm not sure how I would've evaluated the Oil Barons. They were a team that stumbled through November and weren't playing to their identity. Then a massive game against Bonnyville seemed to turn their fortunes around. They went on to beat Whitecourt at home, split a two game series against the South's top team in Camrose, before wrapping up with seven of a possible eight points on the road, to complete December with a 6-1-1 record. Unbelievable! Fort McMurray find themselves in second overall in the league, three points back of Whitecourt for first. Now granted, the MOB have played more games than anyone in the AJHL, but to be in this position for the first time since 2021, that speaks volumes about the group Sam Klassen has put together.

What has been intriguing about the Oil Barons, very few games have been blowouts. If you enjoy close, entertaining hockey, then Fort McMurray gives you your money's worth and then some. My worry is how sustainable that brand of hockey is. But with an excellent goaltender in Brendan Gee (maybe front runner for Goalie of the Year), two dynamite forwards in Ryan Arnold and Justin Dumais, and a deep supporting cast, it's no stretch of the imagination that the Oil Barons will finish the season as one of the top dogs in the AJHL.

Speaking about Ryan Arnold, the game within the game continues. Now 20 straight games with a point, that is unheard of! Mirko Buttazzoni had the last 20 game point streak in the AJHL back in the 2023/24 season. The last Oil Baron to have a 20 game point streak? That isn't as clear. What I can tell you is that no Oil Baron has matched that streak dating back to 2006, where the internet era began. Before that, we need the help of some historians to figure out who has the longest point streak in MOB history. Ryan may have it. If there is a target in the AJHL, it's Brooks Bandit's forward TJ Hughes. He had a 33 game point streak during the 2021/22 season, setting the mark against Ryan Arnold's previous team, the Sherwood Park Crusaders. With a difficult schedule through the month of January, it is tough to see if Ryan can match or surpass that, but you know fans will be watching in eager anticipation.

Speaking of January, this month will be an excellent test for the MOB. Fort McMurray faces a gauntlet of teams! They start against Devon, a team that has beaten the Oil Barons three times this season. They battle Grande Prairie three straight times on the road. Two home games against Olds, a team that always plays the MOB tough. They take on Calgary at the AJHL Showcase in Red Deer. Then they wrap up the month with a pair of games against Whitecourt on the road. If Fort McMurray can find a way to sweep Devon and Olds, take two of three against Grande Prairie, split Whitecourt and beat Calgary, that would be mission accomplished for the MOB.

Around The League:

Would the real Grande Prairie please stand up? I'm at a loss when it comes to the Storm. On paper, this should be a dominant team, one that should be the front runner for the Inter-Pipeline Cup. They still could be! But with extremely inconsistent play, it's hard to put full faith in the team. Late November and December are perfect examples of the Storm. They go on a league-long nine game winning streak, then get blown out their final two games of the pre-Christmas schedule getting outscored 15-7. Now, the final two games could be chalked up to a team looking ahead to the Christmas break. It could be chalked up to a team at the end of a long road trip. But the Oil Barons faced the exact same thing and nailed it out of the park. There is always something more going on behind the scenes and I suspect things aren't different in Grande Prairie. This is an excellent squad, but can they find a way to pull it together in the second half of the regular season.

On paper, it appears the four playoff teams in the South Division are decided. This isn't a bash against Drayton Valley and Olds, I feel like everyone knew it was going to be a tall task to make it to the postseason. But with the Thunder and Grizzlys stumbling and on lengthy losing skids, the nine point gap feels like a massive mountain to climb. That said, Drumheller has not been a perfect team. They may be my candidate to stumble down the stretch. But I feel like the youth and inexperience is starting to show with Drayton Valley and Olds. Do not be surprised if their mentality switches and they start building towards next season.

Speaking of the South, I believe it will be a three team battle for first place in the division. My favorite is Camrose. The Kodiaks haven't had a healthy group of defenders for a long time and they are starting to get guys back. They already have one of the best offences in the league, if the defence gets up to speed, look out, this will be a monster in the South. Canmore has the largest room for improvement in the division. A team that returns Cohen Daoust from the WHL, Aidan Tkachuck from suspension, Hudson Landmark and Will Lutic from the Junior A World Challenge. The Eagles have the pieces, can they find the consistency. Then there's Calgary. The defending national champs have brought in tons of players from the WHL but at times haven't shown the poise to be a true contender. If they can find the killer instinct, they will be a difficult opponent.

Finally, how much will Lloydminster miss Esteban Cinq-Mars? The Quebec kid left the Bobcats just before the break to join Val d'Or in the QMJHL. Congrats to him and the league in moving on to the next level, but that is a massive hole he's left behind in the Border City. In my opinion, Cinq-Mars was the best defender in the AJHL. At the very least, he was the complete package. GM Nigel Dube will have his hands full trying to fill the void, but with this Lloydminster team coached by Eric Labrosse, they will continue to be a difficult foe to overcome.

Wrap Up:

As mentioned, it has been a wonderful Christmas break! On a personal level, I got to marry the love of my life to start the holiday! Talk about a perfect wedding and a dream come true! Alexis, I'm so excited to enter this new chapter with you! On another note, this break was much needed. I was sick for about two months. Getting the opportunity to step away and get my health under control, that was massive and hopefully leads to a terrific springboard for 2026. When it comes to being on the ice, can the Oil Barons continue their success from before the Christmas break. They have a formula, can they execute it consistently? Can they set the tone by beating Devon at home? Will Ryan Arnold continue his point streak? There is so much excitement and intrigue to the second half of the season, it will be a blast getting to follow it! Who will rise, who will fall and who will make the playoffs? Stay tuned in and let's find out in this amazing 2025/26 AJHL campaign!

Oil Barons Games This Week:

Saturday, January 3rd vs Devon 7pm

Sunday, January 4th vs Devon 2pm

All Oil Barons games can be found on the MOB Radio Network, located here.