Dragons Calm the Storm
The Drumheller Dragons played their final game of the AJHL showcase weekend against the Grande Prairie Storm, a game where the Dragons came out on fire stepping up to the challenge their coaching staff has continued to put to them.
Head coach and GM Brian Curran,” We challenged the players to play with speed, play as units and compete for 60 minutes. We accomplished that tonight.”
In the first period you could tell from the drop of the puck that the Dragons came out with a mission, all lines played with grit and speed. Matt Muzyka and Trevor Kavanaugh would score their first goals of the season and Slater Dykema would score his third of the year. Grande Prairie was able to score on their power play making it 3-1 at the end of the first.
Shortly into the second the Storm would score making it a one goal game at 4:05 of the period but Drumheller would score back to back power play goals, both by veteran Ethan James. Clint Filbrandt would add another to make it 6-2 at the end of period. The Dragons continued to pressure Grande Prairie defences throughout the period forcing turnovers and penalties.
Drumheller scored 2 goals in the final period; Jacob Scofield’s and Andrew Kartusch would score their first goals of the season respectively, bringing it to a final score of 8-2 in favour of the Dragons. Grande Prairies third period was stronger, outshoot the Dragons 10-6, however Drumheller continued with their consistent, pressured filled style insuring a victory. The Dragons power play was for 4 for 7 and their penalty kill was 1 for 6.
Curran,” It was by far our best performance of the season. We asked the players to challenge themselves more and for the first time this season we played 60mins as a team. Each line contributed and it was good to see Ethan James get his first two goals of the season, followed with 2 assists for a 4 point night. This is the start I’ve been waiting for and I hope we understand that if we play as a team we will succeed.”
Next game : The Dragons travel to Fort Mcmurray to face off against the Oil Barons Friday, October 9 at 8:00pm.