Drumheller made its annual trip north to Fort McMurray but did not get the result they were hoping for.
When these two teams battled last year, all three games went to overtime and one went to a shoot out. These two teams seem to match up well against each other but this year might be a different story. This is the first match-up between the two this year. Bradley Stonnel makes his 2017-18 debut as a Dragons after coming back to the team from the USHL.
In the first period, Drumheller came out with a strong start. The Dragons tried to capitalize on their speed and get behind the sizeable Oil Barons defense. They did have some early success but could not solve goaltender Eric Szudor. The Oil Barons opened up the scoring at 13:56 when Tanner Miller scored to make it 1-0 Oil Barons. Drumheller took a high-sticking penalty late in the period and it cost them on the score board. Domenico Argento scored his first of the year on the power play with 1:11 left in the first. Ft. Mac lead 2-0 after one but the shots on goal were tied 12-12.
The second period was a tough one for the Dragons. Drumheller took an early penalty and again the result was the puck in the back of the net. JC Thivierge scored just as the power play ended to make it 3-0 Oil Barons. Drumheller did get some shots towards Szudor but still were unable to get one by him. Ft. McMurray added one more on a 5 on 3 power play when JC Thivierge scored his second of the game to make it 4-0 Oil Barons. Shots were fairly close once again with Drumheller out shooting Ft. McMurray 17-16.
The Dragons tried as they could to get some opportunities to get back in the game in the third but it was not to be. Drumheller struggled to get pressure on the Oil Barons as the majority of the play in the period was in the neutral zone. Drumheller again out shot Ft. McMurray but still could not score. Final score 4-0 for the Oil Barons.
Shots on Goal
Drumheller 39
Ft. McMurray 34
Power play
Drumheller 0/3
Ft. McMurray 2/6
Three Stars
Eric Szudor (FTM)
JC Thivierge (FTM)
Joren Patenaude (DRU)
Hardest Working Dragon – Bradley Stonnell
Drumheller does not have much time to lick their wounds. They travel to Bonnyville tomorrow to take on the Pontiacs. I will have the game for you from the R.J. Lalonde Arena with the Western GM Pregame Show at 7:15 on the home of the Dragons, 99.5 DrumFM and drumhelleronline.com.
Jason Blanke
Morning Show Host – 99.5 DRUM FM
Office: 403.823.9936
