The second round of the InterPipeline Playoffs began on Friday for the Drumheller Dragons as they traveled to Brooks to face the Bandits.
It has been a difficult week for the team dealing with tragic loss of affiliate player, Ryan McBeath. The Bandits acknowledged a moment of silence prior to the game for Ryan. The Dragons were looking forward to focus on playing hockey.
The first period began with the Dragons controlling play in the Bandits zone. Drumheller had some great chances but Brooks goaltender, Mitch Benson, was up to the task and kept the Dragons off the board. Drumheller took their first penalty of the game when Andrew Kartusch got called for a questionable call for kneeing. The Bandits capitalized quickly on the man advantage when Connor Jean scored his first of the post season to make the score 1-0 Brooks. Drumheller continued to have opportunities to tie the game but could not score. The best chance for the Dragons came off a rebound from Mitch Benson to the stick of Brayden Nicholetts. He threw the puck on goal but Benson got the toe of his skate on the puck to keep it out. Brooks added to their lead with 2:08 left in the first when Nic Hamre scored his first of the playoffs. The score after one was 2-0 Brooks with Drumheller out shooting Brooks 11-8.
Drumheller came out strong again in the second and again did not get anything to show for it. The Bandits would add to their lead at 11:42 when Arnaud Vachon scored his first of the playoffs to make it 3-0. The Bandits would add another with 1:07 left in the period, when Brandin Scanlin walked in on left side and went top shelf to make it 4-0.
Drumheller never gave up in this game. They came out in the third and again has some opportunities to score but could not get one past Benson. The Dragons changed goaltenders from Hunter Virostek to Dane Dow just to change things up as well. With 3:38 left in the game, Brooks made it 5-0 when Louis Jamernick snapped a shot over the glove hand of Dane Dow. Only 24 seconds later, Mitch Benson's shutout bid was quashed as Derrick Budz scored his third of the post season from Tyson Scott and Bradley Stonnell to make it 5-1 Bandits. Brooks would add one more with 2:09 left to go when Nathan Plessis scored his first of the playoffs to make the final 6-1 Brooks.
Shots on goal
Brooks – 31
Drumheller – 27
Power Play
Brooks – 1 for 3
Drumheller 0 for 2
Hardest Working Dragon – Bradley Stonnell
Three Stars
Connor Jean (BRK)
Derrick Budz (DRU)
Mitch Benson (BRK)
Not much time for the Dragons to think about this loss as these two teams will meet for game two on Saturday in Brooks. We will have it for you on the home of the Dragons, 99.5 DrumFM and drumheller online.com with the Western GM Pregame show at 6:45p.m. with Jason Blanke and Ray Kristianson. Game 3 and 4 will take place at the Drumheller Memorial Arena on Monday and Tuesday at 7:00p.m.
Jason Blanke
Morning Show Host – 99.5 DRUM FM
Office: 403.823.9936
www.DrumhellerOnline.com
