Written by Coach Curran
The Drumheller Dragons played their final game of 2016 on Friday, December 30th in Olds, beating the Grizzlys 4-3. We were on a bit of a slide, losing our last 4 games before Christmas break. The break could not have come at a better time for this young team, as you could see that they were tired and certainly didn't have the jump they've shown for most of the season.
The Dragons, who have been hit hard with injuries this season, would once again be without six key players for the game against Olds. Stefan Wood, Andrew Kartusch, Jeff Fasegha and Brayden Nicholetts are out due to injury and Slater Dykema and Evan Tschumi were both serving league suspensions. However, we had three affiliate players with us – Kaiden Collumb, Chad Harrison and Owen Churko – and they all stepped in and played very well.
We got off to a slow start and the Grizzly's scored two quick ones on us. However, a goaltender change proved to be what we needed to pick our game up and we managed to tie the game up 3-3 heading into the third period. The lone goal in the third was scored by Clay Keeley with his first of the season, which ended up being the game winner for us. Other Dragons goal scorers were Tyler Kreklewich, Cody Young and Brady Risk.
Overall, it was great to see us come out with the win, especially with so many key players out of the line up. We didn't start off that great but at the end of the game we picked it up and I was proud of the boys as they worked hard and played together as a team. I told the players that we are always building to be better, but at this time of the year we have to stick together and pay attention to the little details. Although we have some key players out that does not mean that affects how hard you work, how hard you focus, and finally how you play together as a team. It was not a pretty win but it's a win and we did work hard.
Photo by Broken Curfew Photography