The Drumheller Dragons hosted the league’s leading team last evening, the Lloydminster Bobcats, this seasons RBC host, commemorating the start of Veterans Week. Playing the top team would not only bring some great hockey to the Valley but would be a great tool to measure where the Dragons are at. Drumheller had started the season off a little slow and the Bobcats who have been very consistent, only losing 2 out of their first 20 games, would make for a tough battle.
The Dragons hit the ice with intensity and purpose, controlling most of the first period. Several crucial saves from the Bobcats goalie would keep Drumheller from a 2-3 goal lead and it would be the Bobcats who would score shorthanded and take a 1-0 lead after the first.
In the second period Lloydminster came out as expected for the leading team in the league and Dragons goalie Jonny Hogue would feel the pressure. Hogue would hold his own making key saves but the Bobcats would score to take a 2-0 lead going into the third.
Both teams had several chances to score in the third but the Bobcats who play a very disciplined game making good decisions with the puck, stuck to fundamental and kept it simple making it hard for the Dragons to sustain any pressure. Final score 2-0 for Lloydminster.
Coach Curran, “I thought the boys played a very strong first period and did everything they could to get out quick which has been a struggle this season. In the first period if not for their goaltending it could have been at least a 2-1 lead for us. The second period was a little different story as you can see why they have only lost 2 games this season as they do a lot of the little things well. They dominated us in the face off category especially in the offensive zone. I thought we did a lot of things well tonight and with that kind of effort every night we will see some very positive results. I would also like to thank our Veterans that were in attendance last night and all of our Veterans for providing us with the freedoms we have today. I was also proud of our boys for saluting the Veterans after the game.”
The Dragons will host the Calgary Mustangs Friday, November 6 at 7:30pm.