Written by Coach Curran
The Drumheller Dragons faced two top teams from the North Division this past weekend, hosting the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Friday night and the Bonnyville Pontiacs on Saturday night.
FRIDAY – SHERWOOD PARK
The Crusaders took the game 5-4 on Friday night. Dragons goals were by Tyler Kreklewich, Evan Tschumi, Troy Dudley and Bradley Stonnell.
I liked the way we started and how we played a very strong first period, leading as we headed into the second. However, we let up in the second period, despite knowing the Crusaders would likely come out stronger after the first period, which they did. We had no push-back and played a sloppy period, but we still had the lead going into the third period. I expected a better effort in the third period to hold on to our lead but I didn't see it. Eventually the Crusaders tied it up, then pulled ahead with less than a couple minutes left, and we couldn't catch up. It was an average game for us and we can't play average. There were some players who I thought played well but at the end of the night we lost a game that we would have won if we played consistent.
SATURDAY – BONNYVILLE
Despite a suspension and a couple more injuries that occurred in the previous game, the Dragons played a strong game versus the Pontiacs. We were without the help of Slater Dykema, Jordan Taupert, Chad Hurtubise, Brayden Nicholetts and Stefan Wood, However, we added Affiliated Players Tyson Scott and Chad Harrison, who both scored their first goals for the Dragons en route to a 5-1 victory over the Pontiacs.
I really enjoyed coaching this game as it was a complete game by every player on the ice, starting with our goaltender Dane Dow. We knew that we were playing a very strong team, but also a team that was at the end of their 4-game, 5-night road trip. It was critical that we came out strong and played physical, which we did. We got on the board first on a goal by Markus Boguslavsky, but the Pontiacs answered back and we were tied after one period. I was hoping we could wear them down but they came out flying in the second and our goaltender did a great job keeping their scoring at bay. We pulled ahead in the second period on goals by Brett Campbell and Tyler Kreklewich, then kept the scoring going in the third on goals by our APs Chad Harrison and Tyson Scott. None of the players let their teammates down in this game – they were all accountable to one another and earned this win over a very good team.
Photo by Broken Curfew Photography