Dragons Have New Life
Game four of the Inter Pipeline AJHL South Division Semi-Final went off without a hitch on Tuesday night.
You could use all the cliches in the hockey world as the Dragons were on the brink of elimination. Brooks lead the series three games to none going into the game. The Dragons needed a win and the fans did everything they could to cheer them on to victory.
Drumheller came out strong to start the first period. They pressured Brooks and tried to make the Bandits play the Dragons style of hockey. Very physical start to the game and a couple of penalties were called on each team. The Dragons had a great opportunity on a four minute power play but ended up having a bad change to get caught with too many on the ice. Great period of hockey and the game remained tied after the first period. Drumheller out shot Brooks 12-6.
In the second, the Bandits got on the board first. Will Gerin shot a puck that was going wide of the net but went off a Dragons defender and past goalie Hunter Virostek 1:31 into the period. Drumheller pushed back and at 11:17, Brett Edwards scored his third of the post season, on the power play, from Jordan Taupert. The Dragons took their first lead of the series at 13:13 when Tyler Kreklewich scored his fifth of the playoffs from Markus Boguslavsky and Carson Kurylo. The Dragons held the lead through the remainder of the second.
Brooks would tie the game early in the third. Will Gerin would score his second of the game on a beautiful set up from Connor Jean. The Dragons would score with 5:18 left in the third when Brett Edwards scored a goal that was contested by the Bandits that it was not in. The puck clanged off the inside of the post and cross bar to give the Dragons the lead. That was Edwards second of the game from Brady Risk. Brooks would pull Mitch Benson with 57 seconds left to try to tie the game but the Dragons kept the Bandits at bay. Drumheller held on for the win and force game five on Friday night in Brooks at the Centennial Arena.
Shots on goal
Brooks – 31
Drumheller – 32
Power Play
Brooks – 0 for 2
Drumheller – 1 for 7
Hardest Working Dragon – Tyler Kreklewich
Three Stars:
Brett Edwards (DRU)
Will Gerin (BRK)
Hunter Virostek (DRU)
With the Dragons win, game five of the series will go on Friday night in Brooks. If you cannot make the game, we will have it for you on the “Home of the Dragons”, 99.5 DrumFM and drumhelleronline.com with the Western GM Pregame show starting at 6:45pm with Jason Blanke.
Jason Blanke
Morning Show Host – 99.5 DRUM FM
Office: 403.823.9936
www.DrumhellerOnline.com