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MOB shutout for first time this season in loss to Wolverines

Fort McMurray Oil Barons vs Whitecourt Wolverines Game 4/March 20, 2018/Taylor Pope/Rogers Media

Two costly first period turnovers and a hot goaltender were the difference in Game 4 of the North Division semi-final between the Fort McMurray Oil Barons and Whitecourt Wolverines.

The Wolverines got two first period goals from Ben Evanish and received a 31 save shutout performance from Xavier Potvin as they shutout the MOB 2-0 and took a 3-1 series lead Tuesday night at the Scott Safety Centre.

This was the first time all season the Barons had been shutout and it took a dazzling performance from Potvin to be the first netminder to blank the MOB.

“We tried to penetrate, they’re doing a good job of boxing guys out and eliminating any second or third chances and now it’s just a matter of will and determination to get there,” said MOB Head Coach Tom Keca who felt his teams effort was very good in the loss.

A tough start for the Barons as a bad pinch early in the first period sprung the Wolverines on a two-on-one. Stevie Bryant dished to Evanish who roofed a shot past Chris Curr 1:57 into the game.

Evanish would strike again at 16:22 of the first period when the MOB coughed up the puck behind their net. Bryant centred the puck and Evanish hammered home his second goal of the period and fourth of the series.

From that point on it was a goaltenders dual as Potvin and Curr went save for save. Curr was making his sixth straight start despite Eric Szudor dressing for the first time since being injured in Game 1 of the first round.

Curr made several highlight reel saves including a sprawling kick save of Ryan Wallz in the second period and a breakaway save off Jaedon Leslie in the third as he kept the Barons in the game.

“I thought he was real good. Bounce back game because I didn’t think he was very good last night at all,” said Keca of Curr who made 28 saves in the loss. “He’s been outstanding for us and he gave us every opportunity to get back in the game.”

Will Conley was all over the ice but was foiled by Potvin at every opportunity. Jordan Roy had a chance on a wraparound but the puck stopped on the goal line as the MOB couldn’t beat the veteran netminder who picked up his second shutout of the playoffs.

“This group has shown character throughout the course of the year and we talked about it as a staff today that this group is pretty streaky and we just came off a seven game winning streak and now we’ve lost three in this series and there’s nothing that says we can’t turn this around and go on a three game winning streak,” said Keca.

The series now shifts back to Fort McMurray for Game 5 on Friday night at the Casman Centre. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

“You’ve got a proud group in that dressing room and you’ve got six 20 year olds who do not want Friday to be their last game so it’s a matter of those six leading us and the rest following.”

Notes:

MOB forward Merritt Oszytko was suspended for one game for an abuse of an official call in Game 3 and did not play. He will be eligible to return for Game 5. Defenceman Curtis Roach was injured after blocking a shot in Game 3 and did not dress. The MOB did have defenceman Ryan Conroy return to the line-up after serving his four game suspension.

MOB Head Coach Tom Keca on the Country 93.3 Post-Game Show