Drumheller, AB
March 21, 2022
Going into the series, both the Drumheller Dragons and Okotoks Oilers knew it would be a hard fought battle.
Game one kicked off the series on Friday night. Over 1200 fans were at the Memorial Arena cheering on the Dragons and hoping for a victory. Okotoks would be first to get on the board with a goal by Austin Reschny at 5:54. The Dragons would tie the game late in the first with a goal by Adam Raesler (1) from Tanner Willick and Carter Belitski.
Drumheller would take their first lead of the game late in the second period with a goal by Vann Yuhas (2), from True Crowe and Carter Belitski with 4:12 left in the period.
Early in the third, the Oilers would tie the game 3:11 in with a powerplay marker by Connor Gourley. The game would remain tied and need overtime.
In the first overtime period, both teams would have their chances but both goalies, Eric Ward and Jack McNaughton would stop everything they saw. Late in the period, Oiler Jack McNaughton would tweak something and was unable to continue into the second overtime period. The Oilers other goalie, Parker Sawka, would start the second overtime. 2:34 into the period, Dragon Sam Simard (3) would end the game from Ty Whitford and Tanner Willick.
Game two would be very similar to game one. The teams would remain tied through the first period at 0-0. Very early in the second period, Okotoks would take the lead on a goal by Brendan Boyle at 22 seconds. The Dragons would tie the game with Adam Raesler (2) scoring his second goal in two nights, from Kody Willick and Sam Simard at 10:54.
In the third, Drumheller would take the lead at 5:35 on a goal by Hayden Prosofsky (2), from Tanner Willick and Sam Simard. Okotoks would tie the game 2-2 at 8:26, with a goal by Nick Wolfenberg. For the second consecutive night the game would need overtime. Only 1:34 in, the Oilers Sam Huck would score to give Okotoks the victory.
3 Stars on Friday:
Sam Simard DRM (GWG)
Adam Raesler DRM (1 Goal)
Vann Yuhas DRM (1 Goal)
3 Stars on Saturday
Sam Huck OKO (GWG)
Adam Raesler DRM (1 Goal)
Hayden Prosofsky DRM (1 Goal)
The series, tied at one game a piece, now moves to Okotoks for the next two games. Game 3 is at the Pason Centennial Arena on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM. The game can be heard on Real Country 910 with the ProPlan Financial Pregame Show starting at 6:45 PM.
-Jason Blanke