The Drumheller Dragons started their road to the Inter Pipeline Cup tonight at the Memorial Arena as they took on the Calgary Canucks.
It was game one of the five game series. These two teams just met last weekend where the Dragons won 5-2. Drumheller dominated the season series 5-1 but the games between these two foes were close. The Memorial Arena was electric as things got underway in the first period.
Calgary opened up the first with a quick goal to take the early lead. Zach Russell scored from Hayden Ursulak and Chad Varney. Calgary getting the first goal, woke up Drumheller as the Dragons dominated play for the remainder of the first. The Dragons got on the board at 8:08 when Slater Dykema scored his first career playoff goal from Brett Edwards and Andrew Kartusch on the man advantage. Drumheller got their second power play of the period and made Calgary pay once again. Tyler Kreklewich scored from Alex Rotundo and Bradley Stonnell. The first would end with the Dragons up 2-1 and out shooting the Canucks 15-10.
Drumheller scored their third goal 4:58 into the second. Alex Rotundo showed his patience around the net and potted a beautiful goal from Slater Dykema to give Drumheller the 3-1 lead. Calgary got one back on the power play as Jordan McConnell scored from Zach Webb and Mark Drohan. The Dragons would take the 3-2 lead into the third period.
Drumheller regained their two goal lead at 5:36 of the third when Tyler Kreklewich scored his second of the game from Derrick Budz and Tyson Scott. The Dragons would add to their lead a minute and a half later as Jordan Taupert scored his first career playoff goal from Alex Rotundo to make it 5-2 Drumheller. Calgary would make it interesting on the power play as Jordan McConnell scored his second of the game from Chad Varney to reduce Drumheller's lead to 5-3. Calgary would pull their goaltender, Kolby Matthews, with just over a minute left in the game. Tyler Kreklewich would use his speed to get behind the Canucks defence and score his hat-trick goal into the empty net. Final score would be 6-3 Drumheller.
Shots on Goal
Calgary – 25
Drumheller – 35
Power Play
Calgary 2 for 4
Drumheller 2 for 5
Hardest Working Dragon – Slater Dykema
Three Stars
Tyler Kreklewich (DRU)
Alex Rotundo (DRU)
Jordan McConnell (CGY)
Game two of this series is set to go on Friday as the Dragons will once again host the Canucks. Game time is at 7:30p.m. at the Memorial Arena. For tickets and information go to http://drumhellerdragons.ca/playoffinfo. If you cannot make it to the game tonight we have all the action here on your home of the Dragons, 99.5 Drum FM. The Western GM Pregame show with Jason Blanke and Ron Bell will be at 7:15p.m.
Jason Blanke
Morning Show Host – 99.5 DRUM FM
Office: 403.823.9936
www.DrumhellerOnline.com
