Oil Barons beat Thunder & drop close game to Crusaders

Fort McMurray Oil Barons forward Jesse Burchart/Dan Lines Photography

The Fort McMurray Oil Barons are in the midst of their first three-in-three road trip of the season and through two games have come away with a 1-1 record.

The MOB fell 4-3 Friday night in Sherwood Park before bouncing back with a 3-2 win Saturday in Drayton Valley.

The Oil Barons were able to battle back Friday against the Crusaders (11-1-0) as they got within a goal after trailing 4-1 in the third period but weren’t able to find an equalizer.

William Zapernick opened the scoring on a Crusader power play as he deflected a pass under the crossbar in the first period.

Carter Savoie took over the second period scoring on a breakaway before adding a power play goal to put the home side up 3-0. Savoie leads the AJHL in goals with 16 through 12 games.

The MOB (4-6-1) got some life late in the period when Hunter Lamb tipped in an Alec Johnson point shot to get the Barons on the board heading into the third period.

Arjun Atwal restored the Crusaders three goal lead before Tyler Wallace hammered home a one-timer for his first career AJHL goal to cut the lead in half.

Then it was Ty Budai scoring his fourth goal in the past four games to get the MOB within one. Budai scored his second breakaway goal in as many games.

A penalty called against the Barons with just over two minutes to go spelled the end as they were never able to get Evan Fradette out of the goal. Fradette was strong in net once again as he made 38 saves in the loss as the MOB were heavily out-shot 42-17 in the game.

The Barons looked to ride that strong third period effort into Saturday’s game against the Thunder.

A back and forth first period saw the Thunder (3-7-1) outshoot the MOB 13-9 but it was the Barons who led 1-0 on a goal from Brendan Stafford. The second year MOB forward beat Eric Ward high on the glove side off the rush for his first goal of the year.

Jesse Burchart had two glorious chances in the first period and finally broke through in the middle frame when he chipped home a backhand shot for his first goal of the season to put the MOB up 2-0 through 40 minutes.

A power play to start the third period allowed the Barons to increase their lead when Konrad Belcourt snapped a quick point shot past Ward to open up a 3-0 advantage. All three Oil Barons goal scorers in the game notched their first of the year and were able to throw the monkey off their back.

“It makes them feel more comfortable, it gives them a little confidence shooting the puck and you’re not gripping your stick as tight but good to see all three of them pot one tonight,” said Beatty on the three second year MOB players burying their first goals of the year.

The Thunder didn’t quit and scored two goals 14 seconds apart to get within one with 16 minutes left in the period. Jeremy Klessens and Kadyn Chabot had the goals.

Chris Curr shut the door the rest of the way making 37 saves as he picked up his second win of the year.

“He was outstanding, really dialed in as they out chanced us and certainly out-shot us (39-27) and Curr was good,” said Beatty on his goaltender. “We know he’s capable of keeping us in games and he certainly did that tonight as he gave us a chance to win and we were able to get it for him.”

Two players made their season debuts for the Barons this weekend as Ethan Jamernik and Hunter Leslie saw their first action. Jamernik was an affiliate player for the MOB two seasons ago and played a pair of games for the team. Leslie came over this past week in a trade with the Olds Grizzlys that saw Logan Bromhead go the other way.

“They get in on the forecheck and create havoc and both players are finishing checks and playing the game the way it’s meant to be played,” said Beatty on his two newest players. “I think they fit the identity that we want to bring to the Oil Barons and that’s being hard to play against and a hard working team.”

The MOB finish up their road trip Sunday afternoon in Spruce Grove. The MOB and Saints split a pair of games at the Casman Centre last weekend.

You can listen to the action on Country 93.3 starting with the pre-game show at 1:45 p.m.