If the Dragons were going to make any moves in the standings this was a must win weekend.
The Drumheller Dragons are starting to make strides in the South Division by winning back to back games this weekend against the Calgary Mustangs and the Calgary Canucks and have moved up 1 place in the standings to 4th place in the South. All games are so important at this time of year and with the Dragons starting off slow this season they have put themselves in a position where every point counts.
The Dragons would first play host to the Calgary Mustangs. The Mustangs who have had their struggles this season were coming in to Drumheller on a 2 game winning streak and have greatly improved as of late.
In the first the Dragons came out flying and for the most part controlled the period but it would be only Braeden Salverda would light the lamp to take a 1 goal lead into the intermission. There was no question that the Mustangs goalie was the star for Calgary as he made several key saves to keep the game close in the first.
Second period was a better period for the Mustangs but Jonny Hogue was sharply turning away any opportunities the Mustangs had. Jacob Schofield would score for the Dragons to give them a 2 goal lead after 2 periods of hockey.
Third period, Jacob Schofield would add his second of the game and Connor Duncan would add another goal and the Dragons would take a 4-0 lead. Both goalies played strong in the third and Johnny Hogue made a couple big saves to secure a shutout. The game would end 4-0.
Coach Curran,” After a 4 day layoff I thought the boys came out flying in the first and I thought our defense played a strong game. If we are going to move up the ladder in the South we have to get going and tonight as a team we played solid.”
Dragons Win Second of Back-to-back Games
On the second of their home games the Dragons again came out strong in the first period and it would be new comer Evan Tschumi on the power play that would give Drumheller a 1-0 lead after one period of play. Both goalies played very strong in this game and you could just sense it was going to be a close one.
Second period, Dragons Rhett Kingston would give Drumheller a 2 goal lead but that would be short lived as the Canucks would battle hard and score 2 of their own, Kyler Magnus and Chandler Irvin would tie the game at the end of 2 periods.
Both teams came out hard in the third having several good scoring chances each but it would be the Dragons Braeden Salverda that would put them ahead. The game stayed that way for much of the third and with 2 minutes left the Canucks would call a time out and pull their goalie giving them a 6 on 5 for the last 2 minutes. Drumheller would play tough defense and Chaydan Lauber would end the Canucks hopes when he scored his first of the season. The Dragons won a tough battle 4-2.
Coach Curran,” I thought we played solid at times but we were not as sharp as I think we should have been. The Canucks are much better than their record and they played us tough all night. We are making strides. In the last several weeks I like how the team is getting closer and accountable for their performances. Shows me that we are maturing as a team.”