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Dragons drop three on road trip

   The Drumheller Dragons started the week strong with an at home blowout versus the Calgary Canucks but dropped three on a busy road trip up north.
    On Tuesday, December 5, the Dragons hosted the Canucks and Star of the Game Alex Rotundo scored on the powerplay, his first as a Drumheller Dragons, in the first period to take the early lead. In the second period, the Dragons lit up the Canucks with a second power play goal from Tyler Kreklewich, a goal from Braydon Nicholetts and then Rotundo scored his second.
   The scoring continued in the third period with Brett Wieschorster finding the net 5:45 in. The Canucks finally scored at the midway point, but Brett Edwards scored and Kreklewich got his second to end the game 7-1.
   Over the weekend, the Dragons were on the road but were without Derrick Budz when they took on the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Friday, December 8. Budz was serving a three-game suspension for a gross misconduct.
   The Dragons outshot the Oil Barons 39-34, but Fort McMurray shut out the Dragons winning 4-0 in a physical battle.
   On Saturday, December 9, the Dragons were in Bonnyville to take on the Pontiacs.
   Again, the Dragons outshot their opponents 37-28, but the Pontiacs jumped out 2-0. Andrew Kartusch scored to end the first period down 2-1. In the second period, the Pontiacs scored 2:50 in, but then Tyson Scott answered back to end the second down 3-2.
   The Pontiacs owned the third period with three goals to win the game 6-2.
   On Sunday afternoon, the Dragons were in Lloydminster to take on the Bobcats. After a scoreless first period the Bobcats went up 2-0 in the second period, and built on their lead in the third period and were up 4-0 before Scott found the net with 1:20 left in the game.        It was too little too late as the Dragons went on to lose 4-1.
    The Dragons have only three games before the Christmas break. This Friday, December 15, they are at home to take on the Sherwood Park Crusaders and then the Grande Prairie Storm on Saturday. On Tuesday, December 19, they are in Canmore to take on the Eagles.

Dragon commits to University of Vermont

WEISCHORSTER 2

   A Drumheller Dragon has decided to further his hockey career at the University of Vermont.
   The Dragons have announced their first year forward Brett Wieschroster has committed to play for Catamounts who play in the Division I NCAA East Conference.
   “Brett left a huge impression with our staff during camps leading up to the 2017/18 season,” said head coach and general manager Kevin Hasselberg in a press release. “His enthusiasm and determination to have the puck convinced us he was ready for Junior Hockey at 16.”
   Originally from Sherwood Park, Wieschorster is the youngest Dragon on the squad. This season he has played 22 games and amassed one goal and 6 assists.   He was a fifth-round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft going to Kootenay Ice. Last season he played AAA Midget with the Sherwood Park Squires. He put together 47 points in only 34 games.
    “His commitment off ice and his work ethic in practices will have him prepared for his next journey in college hockey. We couldn’t be happier for such a humble kid who loves the game,” said Hasselberg.
    The University of Vermont is in the City of Burlington. His career as a Catamount is projected to begin in the 2020-2021 season.

Dragons battle for two home wins

   The Dragons had a winning weekend at home, with strong victories over Lloydminster and then the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
   The Lloydminster Bobcats were in Drumheller Friday, November 24 to take on the Dragons in front of 468 fans.        It was a tough physical game and the Dragons jumped out by two goals; the first by Tyler Kreklewich seven minutes in, and then Brett Edwards seven minutes later. The Bobcats scored one to end the period 2-1. Brady Risk put the Dragons up 3-1 in the second period with four minutes remaining.
    In the third period, Edwards scored his second goal on the powerplay at the 10:52 mark. Lloydminster scored once more before Kaden Hanas sealed the score 5-2 with 45 seconds left.
   “There were two physical teams going head to head, and we don’t back down from a battle on a normal day,” said coach Kevin Hasselberg. “I don’t think it was dirty or inappropriate play, I just thought it was hard. It was good Canadian hockey.”
   “We aren’t the biggest team, but our guys played big. I think they backed each other and held each other accountable with that part of our identity.”
   On Saturday night, the Dragons hosted the Bonnyville Pontiacs. Just 3:05 minutes in Slater Dykema opened the scoring on the powerplay, and then Jordan Taupert put them up 2 to end the first period.
   The Dragons outshot the Pontiacs 15-10 in the second period, however, it was the Pontiacs who scored to end the period 2-1.
   It was a back and forth game through the third period, but the Dragons held them off for the win. Hasselberg was impressed with the goaltending.
    “I thought both goaltenders made highlight reel saves in that hockey game. When we put the pressure on Silvestre (Pontiac’s goalie), he was able to keep them in the game, and when they came down to our end with a scoring chance. Dane was there to match him save for save, so definitely a good display of goaltending.”
   The Dragons open December, this Friday, December 1 at home versus the Calgary Mustangs and then next Tuesday, December 5 host the Calgary Canucks.