Dragons Lose 3-2
The Drumheller Dragons travelled to Okotoks last night to play yet another essential game in the standings race for the South. While the Oilers are trying to increase their lead the Dragons are in need of some wins to move up the ladder, unfortunately the close game would go to Okotoks.
First period action would be strong for both teams with neither the Oilers nor the Dragons giving up many scoring chances. However it would be Okotoks Matt McNair who would score his first of three of the night to put the Oilers up 1-0 at the end of the first.
Although both teams continued to play strong in the second period with several scoring opportunities no points would be added to the clock. Thanks in part to both goalies stepping up their play. The score would remain 1-0 in favour of Okotoks after two periods of play.
After two defensively strong periods the third would open up and McNair would add his second of the night to increase the Oilers lead to 2-0. The Dragons would fight back with several quality chances and finally Dragons Braeden Salverda would score their first of the night to bring Drumheller back within a goal. Both teams would continue to trade chances but again Oilers McNair added his third goal of the night for a hat trick giving Okotoks a two goal lead. Drumheller would keep the pressure on and Matt Muzyka would score making it 3-2 and again bring the Dragons back within a goal. In the last several minutes as the Dragons were starting to tilt the ice their way the Oilers coach would call a time out to regroup. Drumheller would pull their goalie but the Okotoks defence played strong allowing the Oilers to skate away with the win.
Coach Curran,” I thought the boys played hard but in such an important game there were a few players we needed more from. Oilers are a good hardworking team but until the last 10 minutes of the game we needed to play with more urgency. We need the leaders in our room to step up and make this their team and hold each one of them to a higher standard. When we do that more consistently we will see the results we all want.”
