The Dragons are back playing intense hockey into the new year, winning two out of three of their games out of the block.
The Dragons began the new year by hosting the number one Brooks Bandits on Tuesday, January 3.
Brooks led by one after a shorthanded goal with less than a minute left in the first period.
The Dragons began to breathe fire and scored three in a row, to the Bandits scoring one, and led 3-2 after two periods.
The Brooks Bandits tied it up 7:46 into the third period. Just 20 seconds later, Ty Daneault was charged with a tripping penalty, putting the Bandits on the power play, and scoring the winner. Brooks walked in an empty netter to make it 5-3.
On Friday, January 6, the Dragons were in Olds to take on the Grizzlys. The Dragons outshot the Grizzlys 9-3 in the first period, and with 32 seconds left, Daneault put the Dragons up 1-0. Keegan Beagle scored for the Dragons, but Olds answered back, to make it 2-1 after two periods.
Dylan Glinski extended the Dragons’ lead 4:30 into the third, and Jacob Goudreau added one more. Olds kept the pressure up and scored two late goals, but it was too little too late as the Dragons left with a 4-3 win.
On Sunday, January 8, the Dragons hosted the Calgary Canucks. The Dragons didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard as Sam Simard scored his 15th of the year 2:21 into the game.
The Dragons let loose in the second with goals from Daneault, two from Ty Whitford, Ben Christian and Coy Pighin, Calgary added one to end the second period 6-1. In the third Noah Danielson scored two, and Calgary added one more as the dragons went on to an 8-2 victory. Vann Yuhas had four assists.
This weekend the Dragons are on the road, taking on the Brooks Bandits on Friday, January 13 and the Olds Grizzlys on Saturday, January 14. The Dragons will not be on home ice until Tuesday, January 24, when they play the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in an afternoon game.

Hockey players in the valley are on their Christmas break after completing the first half of the season, playing hockey and learning the game.
The U11 T3 Drumheller Wiart Dirtworks Raptors are playing strong hockey and have a 5-1-1 record. They have claimed victories over Airdrie, Didsbury, Crossfield and Cochrane. They have split with Cremona and tied Crossfield. They have seen some great individual performances, including Isabelle Gross who is leading the team with 12 points. Liam Wiart has racked up 11 points.
The U11 T5 Ramada Raptors are also having a great season and are undefeated with an 8-0 record. Lewis Leavitt leads all players with 35 goals and six assists. McCoy Mulgrew has racked up 36 points with 25 goals and 11 assists and Stryker Phillips has 17 goals and eight assists.
The U13 2 Home-Town Realty Raptors are playing strong hockey in a competitive league, picking up wins over Brooks and Indus. Jasper O’Dwyer leads the team with seven goals and one assist for eight points. Spencer Holeman has seven points with three goals and four assists.
The U13 T4 Canalta Raptors are another undefeated Raptor team with a 7-0 record. Levi Merrill leads all scorers with 22 goals and four assists. Nikolas Hewitt has 18 points coming off 15 goals and three assists.
The U15 T3 Western Chevrolet Raptors are playing strong hockey and have a 5-4 record, with wins over Cochrane, Camrose and the Thunderstars. Adrian Candelaria has 16 points from 12 goals and four assists and Kayden Bitz has 13 points with a balanced six goals and seven assists.
The U18 T3 React/ DT Fire Raptors are playing .500 hockey with a 3-3-1 record, with wins over Red Deer and Stettler. Their one tie came at the hands of Hanna. Tanner Moulton has nine points off two goals and seven assists, and Gavin Olsen has eight points. The top scorer is Kerric Chambers with 5 goals.
There’s still lots of hockey left for the local teams as the schedule ramps back up in January.
“The commitment means so much to me and my family because I’ve been working towards this my whole life. It makes me very thankful for all the support I’ve gotten along the way,” he said.
He is one of many Drumheller Dragons who have pursued playing in the NCAA.
He credits the organization and raves about the impact his coaches and teammates have had on his development and getting him prepared for the next level.
“The coaches are top-notch and will do anything for you to succeed. My teammates and billets have been amazing to me since I’ve joined Drumheller which has been a huge part of my success,” he said.