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Dragons top Brooks in come from behind victory

   The Dragons battled back against one of the top teams in the league for an overtime win Wednesday night.
   The Dragons hosted the Brooks Bandits, who were sporting the league’s best win record and an eighth place ranking in Canada. The Dragons came out strong and 10 minutes in, Markus Boguslavsky opened the scoring on the power play, ending the first period up 1-0.
   It didn’t take long for the Bandits to react and in the second period they outshot the Dragons 16-8. They scored three quick ones before Brett Campbell made it 3-2, to end the second period.
   The Bandits continued to pour on the pressure with a 17 shot pe-

riod, however, it was the Dragons who tied it up on the powerplay. This time Joren Patenaude scored to even it up.
The Bandits had a great opportunity with seven minutes left when Tyler Kreklewich went to the penalty box, but Hunter Virostek stood tall in net versus the Bandits’ potent offense, and the game went into overtime. Just 49 seconds in, Jordan Taupert went over the Bandits goalie’s left side to win the game.
The Dragons were 50 per cent on the power play and held the Bandit at bay with five successful penalty kills.
This was a positive start for the Dragons who have a tough weekend ahead. This Friday night, December 9 they host the Sherwood Park Crusaders, who are holding on to fifth place in the Viterra AJHL North, and then on Saturday, face Bonnyville at home. The Pontiacs are second in the north with a 23-7-3 record.

Dragons make trade with Melville of SJHL

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The Drumheller Dragons have traded ‘97 American forward Evan Rochowiak to the Melville Millionaires of the SJHL for Tyler Kreklewich.
   “I wish Evan all the best as I believe this is a good move for him,” said Dragons head coach and GM, Brian Curran. “He has all the talent and my hope is that change will help him accomplish his goals.”
   The Dragons organization would like to extend a warm welcome to Tyler Kreklewich. Kreklewich is a ‘97-born centreman who leaves his hometown of Melville for the first time in his junior hockey career. Last year with the Millionaires he posted 14 goals and 22 assists in 56 games.
   “Tyler is a very strong skater with great speed and has good hockey sense,” said Curran. “I wanted to add another centreman to our lineup which gives me a lot more options with my lines. I look forward to helping Tyler in his quest to play College hockey.”

Powerplay clicking for Dragons in 3-2 win

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   Another solid performance by the Drumheller Dragons saw them take down Olds Tuesday night 3-2.
   The Dragons hosted the Grizzlys on November 29. This was only the second time this season the teams have met, last time with the Grizzlys taking a lop-sided 6-2 win. This time the Dragons had the powerplay clicking.
   “I thought that both teams played well and especially both goalies. It was great to see the powerplay get on track as it has not helped us much this season despite our hard work at it,” said head coach Brian Curran.
   The Dragons’ momentum came right from the get go. With a Grizzly in the penalty box, Jordan Taupert opened the scoring just two minutes in. Bradley Stonnell increased the lead 2:41 in the second period, again on the powerplay. Then eight minutes later the Grizzlys found the net to end the period 2-1 Dragons.
   In the third period, Andrew Kartusch put the Dragons up 3-1, and with a one-man advantage. The Grizzlys made it a look little more respectable with a late goal as the Dragons won 3-2. The Dragons were 3-5 on the powerplay.
   Curran gives credit to the goaltending. Andrew Henderson for Olds stopped 35 shots and Dragons’ Hunter Virostek saved 31.
   “Olds had the better of the chances in the first period and Virostek played great keeping the lead for us. In the second, the Grizzlys goalie did his job holding us to only two goals and in the third period, again they both played well,” said Curran. “I can’t speak for Olds but I thought both teams played well and it was a very entertaining game. We needed the boys to play as a team and they did.”