Dragons Continue to Struggle with Mustangs

Dragons Drop One To Mustangs

The Drumheller Dragons played their first game of 2018 tonight as they headed to the Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary to take on the Calgary Mustangs.

This was a big game for both teams as the two teams were tied for 3rd spot in the AJHL South Division at 40 points. The Dragons have two games in hand. The last time these two teams met in Calgary, Drumheller fell 6-1. They were hoping for a better outcome.

Drumheller had a great start in the first period as they got on the board 54 seconds into the game. A nice feed from Tyler Kreklewich to Jordan Taupert on a stretch pass and Taupert beat goaltender Joey May to make it 1-0 Dragons. Calgary tied it up midway through the period when Brady Barclay tucked one in on Dane Dow. The score was 1-1 after 1 and Drumheller out shot Calgary 16-8 in the period.

In the second, Drumheller had pressure in the Calgary zone but could not put the puck in the back of the net. Calgary took the lead at the 7:13 mark when Yuri Chernichko scored from Joshua Kroon. Drumheller continued to battle hard but could not score. Calgary lead 2-1 after 2 and the Dragons continued to out shoot Calgary 24-17,

The third was similar to the second. The Dragons out played Calgary but had nothing to show for it. Calgary added to their lead with just over 5 minutes left in the game when Nathan Walker fired one from the point and it bounced off a couple of players and ended up in the Dragons net. Drumheller pulled Dane Dow with over 2 minutes left in the period. Drumheller had their opportunities but Mustangs goaltender Joey May didn't let anything get by him. Final shots were
Drumheller 35 and Calgary 22 with the final score Calgary 3 Drumheller 1.

Shots on goal
Drumheller – 35
Calgary – 22

Power play
Drumheller 0/4
Calgary 0/7

Hardest Working Dragon – Kaden Hanas

3Stars
Joey May (CGY)
Tyler Kreklewich (DRU)
Jackson Salt (CGY)

Drumheller doesn't have much time to think about this game as they host the Canmore Eagles on Friday night at the Memorial Arena. Game time is 7:30pm.

Jason Blanke
Morning Show Host – 99.5 DRUM FM
Office: 403.823.9936
www.DrumhellerOnline.com