Game One
The Dragons were on the road to Olds on Friday night to play the much improved Grizzly’s. There is no question the Dragons are having their problems these last several games in the scoring department but had hoped to change that this weekend in a back-to-back face-off with Olds.
As in the past the Dragons started out strong in the first period with several key chances on the power play as the Grizzly’s would take a 4 minute high sticking penalty. Soon after that Olds would take another 2 minute penalty but the penalty kill units for the Grizzly’s along with great goaltending would ensure the Dragons were unable to score. In a big boost for the Grizzly’s with less than 5 minutes remaining in the period Olds would score to make it a 1-0 lead and then again on the very next shift to make it 2-0 in their favour at the end of the first.
In the second Olds would come out and score taking a 3-0 lead shortly into the period. The Dragons would make a goaltending change at this time and after capitalizing on one of many great chances would score to make it 3-1.
Olds would score again to take a 4-1 lead in the third and for 3-4 shifts they would keep the pressure on Drumheller. However the Dragons would score to make it 4-2 and from that point on would control the rest of the period. Drumheller would score again to make it 4-3 showing strong character but that is as close as they would come and Olds would take the win.
Coach Curran, “When we allow a goal it is crucial the next several shifts to keep our focus and play hard so we do not allow another opportunity and have our momentum change even more. We were feeling sorry for ourselves but the boys played hard and came back but it was not enough. We had a lot of great scoring chances and we are having trouble finding the back of the net. We need to get in front of these goalies and maybe they will go off our rear ends into the net.”
Game Two
Dragons hosted on Saturday night in the second faceoff with Olds for Drumheller’s Pack the House for Charity night. The Dragons have been getting their chances to score but are having a tough time lighting the lamp and Saturdays game proved the same.
The Dragons came out strong and once again had some great opportunities to score but the young goalie for Olds has been playing some great hockey and would give the Dragons fits. Olds would get on the board first on their power play and take a 1-0 lead. Later in the period Drumheller on a penalty kill would pressure the Grizzly’s and it would pay off as the Dragons would score to tie the game at one apiece ending the period.
Second period saw the Dragons come out strong again and in the first 10 minutes they would have Olds back on their heels. James, Dykema and Chynoweth had great scoring chances but were unable to capitalize. At the end of the second the score would remain tied.
Both teams would play hard in the third period and have several scoring opportunities but it was not to be and we would remain tied at the end of regulation.
In overtime the Dragons would take two penalties and be down two players giving Olds a 5 on 3 advantage. The Grizzly’s would capitalize on this and skate away with the win.
Curran, “I thought we played with a lot of jump in the first half with a lot of chances to score. I think that if you’re not getting the chances you’re in a lot of trouble, but we also need to change our plan of attack and get more traffic to the net. I think that at times we are too pretty and it cost us, sometimes when you just keep it simple you will regain your confidence a lot quicker and we will get those wins we need.”
Drumheller host the Brooks Bandits Wednesday, November 25 at 7pm.
