The Canmore Eagles lost for the first time in regulation time on home ice this season as the Fort McMurray Oil Barons stole out of town Friday (Nov. 7) night with a 3-0 victory.
Brendan Gee made 25 saves in his Fort McMurray debut in shutting out Canmore on home ice for the first time since Nov. 5 of last season. The 20-year-old Vancouver native spent the past two seasons tending goal for the Western Hockey League’s Wenatchee Wild (28-33/3.76/.899).
In that 2024 Alberta Junior Hockey League clash 367 days ago, the Oil Barons scored twice in the second period – 90 seconds apart – and once in the third period. The feat was repeated on Friday with Justin Dumais (5th goal of the season) and Drew Freer (6) scoring second period – just 20 seconds apart – with Dumais (7) scoring his second of the game in the final period.
Fort McMurray outshot Canmore 44-25 en route to its sixth win in eight regular-season games at the Canmore Recreation Centre over the past five seasons. It was also the Oil Barons (9-5-2-0, third in the North Division) sixth win their past eight games this season while the Eagles (9-7-1-0, second in the South Division) saw another winning streak come to an end after three victories – the third time this season.
Hudson Sedo (3-3/3.66/.893) was in goal for the Eagles, making his first start since Oct. 24. After starting the season with three consecutive wins, the 19-year-old St. Albert native has lost in each of his last three outings: twice in regulation and once in overtime.
These are two of the top three power play teams in the league, but in this game Fort McMurray was 0-for-8 while Canmore went 0-for-3.
The Eagles, now 4-1-1-0 at the Canmore Recreation Centre this season, continue a four-game homestand next weekend with games against the Devon Xtreme on Friday, Nov. 14 and the Whitecourt Wolverines on Saturday, Nov. 15. Game times are 7 p.m.
OVERTIME: Several Eagles saw personal four-game points streaks come to an end with the loss: Cohen Daoust had eight points (4G-4A) prior to Friday; Easton Milne had five goals and one assist; Aidan Tkachuk had six points (3G-3A) in games leading up to the Fort McMurray contest. … Can’t get to a game in person, all AJHL games can be viewed with a flohockey.tv subscription. … The Canmore Eagles are always in need of more volunteers to help with game day experiences whether you are new to the game or an avid hockey supporter, email info@canmoreeagles.com for more information on opportunities and game-day perks that come with being part of the Game Day Crew.
Story by Russ Ullyot
