MOB cruise to 4-1 win over Crusaders

Oil Barons forward Liam Izyk had a goal and 2 assists in a 4-1 win over Sherwood Park. February 20, 2017/Dan Lines.

The Fort McMurray Oil Barons gave their fans lots to cheer about on Family Day Monday as they extended their winning streak to seven games with a 4-1 win over the Sherwood Park Crusaders.

The win kept the MOB (41-10-3) five points clear of the Whitecourt Wolverines for first place in the North Division. The win also continued the MOB’s impressive run without a regulation loss as they have now gone over two months and are 17-0-2 during that stretch.

The Barons jumped on a shorthanded Crusaders (30-23-1) side early taking a 2-0 lead into the first intermission and outshooting the Cru 15-2 in the period. The Crusaders dressed just 13 skaters due to several players violating team rules.

The Barons would open the scoring 8:41 into the first period. Stefan Wood hit JC Thivierge with a stretch pass down the left wing. Thivierge cut towards the goal and was stopped by Zac Klassen. The puck lay in the crease with Jarred White and Liam Izyk trying to dig it loose. The puck eventually came to Nicholas Leeseberg at the side of the net and the winger chipped in his seventh goal of the season.

Highlights Courtesy of Fort McMurray Oil Barons

The Barons would double their lead at 17:13 when the Crusaders coughed the puck up in their own end. Dylan Rauh slid a pass over to Ryan Cox who one timed a shot over the shoulder of Klassen for his 21st goal.

In the second, the Barons dominance in the face-off circle led to their third goal. Liam Izyk won the draw to Kyler Newman who fed the puck to Taner Miler. Miller sent a shot towards goal that Izyk deflected through the legs of Klassen and in. Izyk now has goals in three straight games and seven points over that span.

A late penalty by the MOB would prove costly as the Crusaders would get on the board. Brett Roberts fired a shot from the top of the right face-off circle that hit Miller’s skate and deflected up and over Eric Szudor to make it 3-1.

The Crusaders struggled in the third period to generate much of anything as fatigue began to set in with playing five skaters short. Another turnover in their own zone would lead to a fourth Barons goal. Brett Edwards stripped Roberts and walked in on Klassen, slipping the puck through his legs for his 11th of the year. The MOB outshot the Cru 45-20 in the game and won the season series 5-0-1.

The MOB finish with a 21-6-3 record on home ice this season. They will finish the regular season with six straight road games beginning Friday and Saturday in Lloydminster.