The Drumheller Dragons headed north this weekend on the second long road trip of the season to take on Grand Prairie, Whitecourt and Drayton Valley. Although the Dragons won their last two games on the road prior to this northern trip they have struggled on the road and had hoped for a better outcome.
Game 1- Grande Praire
Second period would see Grand Prairie get on the board first but the Dragons would come back and tie the game. Minutes later the Storm would score taking the lead and at the end of the second period the score would be 2-1.
Grande Prairie added two more goals in the third period and the Dragons would fall 4-1 to the Storm.
Coach Curran, “We had a fair share of chances to score and that was a positive but our penalty kill was very poor and we need to get it back on track. Our penalty kill is so good at home and in this game that is what hurt us, that and not capitalizing on our scoring chances.
Game 2-Whitecourt
In the second game of the trip against Whitecourt the Dragons displayed a stronger team than the Grande Prairie game. Playing against the highly offensive minded Wolverines, Drumheller would have to set the pace from the start which they did and in the process took a 1-0 lead. Several minutes later Whitecourt would tie the game and the period would end at one a piece.
The Dragons once again came out hard in the second and would take a 2-1 lead. The Dragons continued to battle hard throughout the period however luck was not on their side as Clint Filbrandt was prevented from giving the Dragons a two goal lead by Whitecourt’s new best friend the goal post. The Wolverines would tie the game shortly after and add two more to take a 4-2 lead going into the third.
The Wolverines would add another goal late in the third period and skate away with a 5-2 victory.
Coach Curran “I thought we played hard and with lots of jump and purpose. It may have been a 5-2 loss for us but the game could have easily been the other way. It was great to see us come out with intensity and lots of attitude. If we play more games like that we will get this turned around soon.”
There would be no score in the first period but both teams had some quality scoring chances.
The Thunder added to their lead in the third period to make it 3-1 but the Dragons didn't give up and with their net open for the extra man the Dragons would score to make it 3-2. Things would get exciting as the Dragons continued pressuring Drayton Valley and with just under 35 seconds left Clint Filbrandt would score. Unfortunately the linesman would rule that the net was off and the goal would be disallowed. It was clear that the Thunder player had knocked the net off from behind as Filbrandt was shooting but to no avail the Thunder would skate away with a 3-2 victory.
Coach Curran, “We played our hearts out and I was proud of the boys for battling back. We deserved a better fate in my opinion and it is tough to not come away with at least 1 point. I think we need to take a look at this as a league and come up with something that will be in the best interest of the league and its hockey teams.”
Dragons next game will be in Olds battling the Grizzlys on Friday, November 20th at 7pm.