Dragons Lose to 2014 AJHL Champs 5-4
It seems the Dragons are getting their groove back and Wednesday’s away game against the Spruce Grove Saints proved just that. Although they struggled in the first and second period the third showed that hard work and perseverance pay off.
The first and second periods proved to be a slow start for the team, perhaps something said by coaching veteran Brain Curran between the second and third had something to do with it. As mentioned before he had identified the teams’ issues and had a plan of attack. Regardless the Dragons third period action was that of the old style grinder never give-up that Curran has always professed to and that fans have come to know and love.
In the first period the Saints jumped out to 2-0 lead followed by the Dragons Matt Muzyka scoring to make it 2-1. That would not last long however as Spruce Grove would score 2 more gaols on a Dragons defensive zone breakdowns making 4-1 at the end of the period.
In the second period neither of the teams could capitalize on their scoring chances but Spruce Grove definitely held the advantage in the offensive zone. The Saints were in the Dragons zone a considerable amount of time, however Drumheller would continue to battle hard, that along with strong goaltending by Jonny Hogue would keep the game at 4-1 after two periods.
Drumheller Dragons came out strong in the third period and with Connor Boyd driving the net hard, to score the Dragons second goal of the game making it 4-2. Several minutes later Jacob Scofield would bring the game to 4-3 and with 10 minutes remaining Clint Filbrandt would tie the game 4-4.However with 2 minutes left in the game Spruce Grove would score making it 5-4, Drumheller would have a couple of quality scoring opportunities to tie but would be unsuccessful. Final score 5-4 for the Spruce Grove Saints.
“Although the game did not end up with us winning and the Spruce Saints, a very good hockey club would control a lot of the first two periods, I felt that we were competing hard and playing more like the team I thought we would be. I asked the boys to push the play harder in the third period and they responded by tying the game 4 all and playing like the Dragons teams of the past with passion and drive. Unfortunately we lost but in a lot of ways our team now knows what it takes to win in our league.” Brian Curran
Drumheller Dragons host the Calgary Canucks Friday, October 23rd at 7:30pm.