Spruce Grove was host to the AJHL Showcase this past weekend which saw all 16 teams play 2 league games. It was an opportunity for all players to show their skills and talents to many NCAA Div 1 and Div 3 schools, Western Hockey League teams and there was also great representation from the National Hockey League.
The Dragons had their first game Thursday night versus the home town Spruce Grove Saints. The game was pushed back over 2 hours after a power outage took out most of Spruce Grove. The late start didn’t seem to affect either team as the fans were treated to a back and forth game that saw the Dragons come out on top with a 3-2 overtime win. The Saints carried a 2-0 lead until just under 5 minutes to play when the Dragons started their comeback. Jacob Schofield got the Dragons on the board with a shorthanded, 2 on 0, goal that was set up by Hunter Mills. That lifted the team as Ethan James scored shortly after to send it to overtime with the Dragons carrying the momentum. Both teams exchanged scoring chances before Dakota Zaharichuk sealed the win for the Dragons after a great set up from Mitch Cook. Curtis Skip was outstanding in net making a number of timely saves and was at his best in the second period when the Dragons were outshot 17-5. The final shots were 28-22 in favour of the Saints.
It was a short turn around for the Dragons as they took on the Bonnyville Pontiacs at 1:00 Friday. The teams traded goals in the first period to leave it 1-1 after the first with Rory Davidson scoring the goal for the Dragons. The score would remain the same after 2 periods of play. The third period saw the teams exchange goals for a score of 3-3 at the end of regulation sending it to overtime for the second straight game. Scoring for the Dragons in the third were Tristan Thompson and Cody Fiala. Unfortunately, for the Dragons, the hockey Gods weren’t in their favour as Bonnyville scored with 33 seconds left in overtime on a goal by Mitch Fritz. Final shots on goal were 41-31 in favour of the Pontiacs.
The next action for the Dragons is Tuesday when they travel to Canmore to take on the Eagles.
