The Drumheller Dragons played their first game at the AJHL Showcase vs the Whitecourt Wolverines in Camrose Thursdays afternoon.
As many coaches and players will tell you this showcase can be very stressful on the players with over 100 colleges from all over North America in attendance as well as NHL scouts, all looking for possible players.
The Wolverines came out strong scoring the first goal. The Dragons answered with a shorthanded goal by Ryan Chynoweth who has had a lot of success in the last several games on lighting the goal light. The period would end 1-1.
In the second period Drumheller goals were scored by new comer Issac Schacher who was recently acquired from the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL and again by Chynoweth. Unfortunately several key mistakes by the Dragons allowed the Wolverines to score 4 more times bringing them to a 5-3 lead at the end of the second.
Third period action saw the Dragons come out on fire scoring 2 goals to tie the game at 5 apiece.Goal scored by Wade Wylie and again Ryan Chynoweth, adding a hat trick to his night. The game continued to go back and forth with several scoring chances for both teams but at the 5 minute mark Whitecourt would take the lead on a controversial call. It appeared that the puck was batted in by a hand but after a discussion amongst the referees the goal would stand making it 6-5 in favour of Whitecourt. The Dragons who had pulled their goalie giving them a man up had 2 great scoring chances to tie the game but it would not be their night.
Coach Curran,” There were parts in the game that I enjoyed but not enough, with the exception of several players that I thought played well. You will not win on a regular basis if you’re not going to play 60 minutes and that’s the bottom line. We didn't take a step backward however we just played ok and that won't win you a championship. We play tomorrow vs Grand Prairie and I expect as do the players to play much better.”
Next game of the AJHL Showcase in Camrose. Drumheller Dragons vs Grande Prairie Storm October 3, 2015 at 4:30pm.
