The Dragons looked to continue their winning ways on Saturday as they hosted the Drayton Valley Thunder for the only time this season.
Three different story lines for this game. First, it would be the first time that Joren Patenaude would play his former team. Second, Brady Risk had the opportunity to play against his twin brother Charlie in the AJHL. Third, it was the 200th game in junior hockey for Dragon Tyler Kreklewich.
The Dragons didn't waist time getting things started. Thirty-three seconds into the game, Slater Dykema scored his third on the year from Alex Rotundo and Troy Dudley. On Drayton Valley's first penalty of the night, the Dragons scored only nine seconds after getting the power play. Alex Rotundo scored his 14th of the year from Tyler Kreklewich and Bradley Stonnell. Drumheller would make it 3-0 at 6:32 when Jordan Taupert scored his 28th of the season from Clay Keeley. Drumheller wasn't done as Alex Rotundo would get his second on the night from Brady Risk with 3:28 left in the first. That would spell the end of the night for Drayton Valley goaltender Shawn Parkinson who gave up 4 goals on 11 shots. Drumheller lead 4-0 after one.
The flood gates remained open in the second. Tyson Scott scored a beautiful goal, his 13th, on a feed from Tyler Kreklewich and Markus Boguslavksy at 1:33. The Dragons made it 6-0 when Brett Edwards scored his 25th on the year from Andrew Kartusch and Dawson Bruneski. The Dragons would add another at 9:15 when Brayden Nicholetts scored his 14th from Brady Risk. Drumheller lead 7-0 after two.
The Dragons were not done. In the third, Drumheller made it 8-0 at 5:44 when Jordan Taupert scored his second on the evening and 29th of the year from Andrew Kartusch and Joshua Laferriere. The Thunder would get one back on a laser of a shot by Michael Boutoussov that found the top corner behind Hunter Virostek. The Dragons would get to nine goals when Derrick Budz scored his seventh of the year unassisted. Drayton Valley would add a power play goal with 13 seconds left on the clock when Vincent Beadry scored on the five on three. Hunter Virostek and the Drumheller Dragons would get the win in front of 591 fans.
Shots on Goal
Drayton Valley – 23
Drumheller – 33
Power Play
Drayton Valley 1 for 4
Drumheller 2 for 6
Viterra AJHL Game Stars
Drayton Valley – Michael Boutoussov
Drumheller – Alex Rotundo
Next action for your Dragons is their final road game of the regular season as they travel to Calgary to take on the Canucks. The Western GM Pregame show begins at 6:45pm with Jason Blanke and Ron Bell with puck drop at 7:00pm. The final home game for your Dragons is on Saturday as our perennial rivals, the Brooks Bandits, come to town. Puck drop on Saturday is 7:30pm at the Memorial Arena.
Jason Blanke
Morning Show Host – 99.5 DRUM FM
Office: 403.823.9936
www.DrumhellerOnline.com