Storm stymied in Fort McMurray

By Logan Clow, Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune

The Grande Prairie Storm’s road woes continued over the weekend, losing 4-1 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.

After 17 attempts, the Storm are now 6-11 on the road.

The Storm sit seventh in the Alberta Junior Hockey League North Division with an 11-21 record – two points ahead of the eighth place Whitecourt Wolverines and three points back of the Drayton Valley Thunder for sixth place.

Friday, the Oil Barons scored three goals in the first period, including two from Wetaskiwin native Danton Ayotte. Storm forward Jarred Toole responded with his second of the season in the second period. However, the Barons would seal their victory with an empty net goal late in the third period.

Storm goaltender Liam McLeod allowed three goals on eight shots and was replaced by Logan Thompson, who was added to the Storm on Thursday. The Calgary native stopped all 25 shots.

On Saturday, Storm forward Stefan Seel scored the team’s lone goal on the powerplay in the second period. Thompson made 29 saves in the loss.

The Storm start a five-game homestand on Dec. 5-6 against the Camrose Kodiaks and Canmore Eagles, followed by the Whitecourt Wolverines (Dec. 12-13) and then host the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Dec. 16.

The Kodiaks are the top team in the AJHL’s South Division with a 24-3-2 record, have the top penalty kill, and have won their last six games.

The Eagles, who have the league’s top powerplay, are 13-16-1 – sixth in the South – and sport a two-game losing skid.

Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Revolution Place.