The Drumheller Dragons seem to be back on an upswing, notching the team’s first win of the month at home against Bonnyville last Sunday.
The Pontiacs rolled into town on November 20 to face the Dragons at home. The Dragons jumped out early, and never looked back.
“I have been saying all year we have a really balanced line -up. We have a really good balance of skill, speed, strength and physicality” said coach Dan Price. “All four lines contributed in every way. They contributed offensively, defensively and on special teams.” The Dragons were down early on, but quickly turned on the powerplay as Justin Tateson scored, assisted by Evan Warner and Robet Geddes. Bonnyville regained the lead to end the first period up 2-1.
Colin Bergman tied it up just 39 seconds into the second period, but Bonnyville’s powerplay proved strong, and again regained the led.
The Dragons’ powerplay was also tough, and Justin Morello tied it up. The goal was quickly followed up with even strength points from Warner and Corey Tyrell. The Dragons were up 5-3 by the end of the second .
Sam Lawson and Todd Callaghan each contributed a goal in the third period for the 7-3 win.
Geddes has three assists and Morello had two, on top of his second period goal. The Dragons’ powerplay was three for five.
This win stopped a slide that was still rolling on Friday night when they bowed to the Calgary Canucks 3-1. Scott Kennedy as the lone goal in the second period.
“There was one similarity between the two games and one big difference,” said coach Price.
“The similarities were that in the first period and the third period, we played the game the right way. We skated, advanced pucks and put the pucks behind their defensemen. We controlled the puck in the offensive zone, and we put the puck to the net. The difference was that in the Bonnyville game, we did that in the second period as well, and were rewarded for it. I though it was probably our best second period of the year.”
“We set the goal of winning the third period with a score of 2-nothing, and that is what we did.”
He said the defense contributed to the high output of the offense.
“A lot of our offensive pressure came from the fact we were solid in our d-zone coverage. For the most part on five-on-five, we shut down their cycle well, I thought we contracted around our net well when the puck came close and was threatening. And I thought we did a good job once we got possession of the puck, breaking out quickly, getting on the attack and establishing control in their zone.”
The win was a sign of relief as fans and players were feeling a sense of urgency about the recent slide. As Colin Bergman said at a press conference on Friday night after the Calgary Canucks game.
“When you go through a dry spell like this there is some urgency, and there could be some doubt. But when you go into the dressing room we are just trying to stay as positive as possible.”
Price said the team is continuing to learn even from its latest loss to Calgary.
“The lesson we learned from the Canucks game is that you we need to string all of those periods and the shifts within them into one game,” said Price. “The challenge to the team at the Bonnyville game was to have a really good first period, and then forget about it. Then have a really good second period, and then forget about it, and do the same in the third. That is the micro perspective. The macro perspective is to do that from game to game.”
“If we can be short sighted that way, then at the end of the day we can look at the scoreboard and be satisfied.”
The Dragons were at home last night to play a make-up game against the Okotoks Oilers last night (Tuesday November 24) to make up the cancelled game from November 1. They are back at home this Saturday to take on the Grande Prairie Storm.
