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Bantam Titans win league bronze

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The Bantam Titans wrapped up their season on Saturday, winning bronze in Tier 1 Nine-a-side Central Alberta Football League.
Last week the Bantam Titans went up against the league’s top team, Olds in the first round of playoffs. Olds handed them a defeat, putting them in the bronze medal game.
The Bantams were in Strathmore on Saturday, October 29. The two met previously this season and battled to a 49-49 tie. This time the Titans were on their game, cruising to a 58-12 win.
“It was a great finish to the year,” said head coach Brad Iverson. “We tied them earlier this year so it was really an all-around game with offence and defence, and special teams caused some turnovers, so it was a great game all around.”
The accomplishments of the team are especially great with such a young squad, and it also bodes for a bright future.
“We have 18 kids returning and only six moving up to senior. We have an excellent base for next year,” said Iverson. “It has been a great year overall, considering how young we were.”
He said what set the team apart was they were able to build confidence throughout the season, even when they were overmatched with bigger teams. He adds the support of the organization, fans, and parents was incredible.
“It would have been tough to put it all together if it weren’t for the parents and the board,” said Iverson.

Dragons face tough competition against league leaders

The Dragons had a tough week, facing the two top division-leading teams in the league.
The Dragons headed north on Wednesday, October 26, to take on the Spruce Grove Saints which are leading the North Division. The Dragons outshot the Saints 15-5 in the first period, but it was Spruce Grove that ended up on the scoreboard first. With less than a minute left in the first period, Connor Poffenroth evened up the score.
Spruce Grove went ahead in the second period. But Adam Raisler scored midway through the third period to tie the game on the powerplay. The game went to extra time and the Saints scored at the 4:52 mark of overtime to take the 3-2 win.
On Friday, October 28, the Dragons were back on home ice to take on the Brooks Bandits, who are tearing up the league with a 16-1-1-1 record. Again the Dragons outshot their opponent, but Brooks was finding the net and led 6-0 after two periods. Coy Pighin scored his first as a Dragon in the third period, making it a 6-1 loss.
On Saturday, October 29, the Dragons completed the home and away series with Brooks. This time the Dragons scored first, with Raesler finding the net unassisted 3:26 into the game. After that, the Bandits scored at will, with one in the first period, five in the second and three in the third. Jacob Goudreau scored at the 7:20 mark of the third period, and Raelser scored his second of the game with less than five minutes left, but this one was in the book for the Bandits winning 9-3.
The Dragons hope to get back over .500 this week, hosting the Okotoks Oilers on Friday, November 4, and then heading to Camrose to play the Kodiaks on Saturday, November 5.

Dragons climbing after two wins

The Dragons are back on track with two wins last week, climbing the standings into fifth in the AJHL Viterra South Division.
The Dragons were in the den on Friday, October 21, to take on the Calgary Canucks, and opened the scoring within the first two minutes as Ty Daneault found the net. Calgary tied it up to end the first period at one a-piece. Ty Whitford put the Dragons up again on the powerplay, but the Canucks answered back, ending the second tied at two. The pattern repeated itself, this time with Daneault scoring his second and Calgary tying it up, forcing overtime. Just 1:48 into extra time, Noah Danielson scored his fourth of the season unassisted, winning 4-3.
On Saturday, October 22, the Dragons were in Olds to take on the Grizzlys. The Dragons were on fire in the first period firing off five straight goals. Dylan Glinski opened the scoring and was soon followed up by Vann Yuhas, just 29 seconds later. Glinski added his second goal less than two minutes later on the powerplay. Next, it was Danielson’s turn shorthanded, and then Isaiah Peters added his second of the season.
The Grizzly’s had a hole to dig out of but only mustered a single goal in the second.
Glinski finished off a hat trick 19 seconds into the third period, and Ty Whitford added one for good measure. Olds added one with 4:22 left, as the Dragons went on to a 7-2 win.
As of Monday, the Dragons are 7-5, and trailing the Okotoks Oilers by two points. This Wednesday, October 26, they are in Spruce Grove, and on Friday back home to play Brooks. On Saturday, October 29, they head to Brooks to face them again.