The Drumheller Dragons had their own Christmas mircale on Monday night, fighting back from a 4-0 deficit at the start of the third period to win 5-4 in overtime.
Robert Geddes scored unassisted in overtime 42 seconds in to make the final score 5-4.
Illness has taken part of the blame for the Dragons’ two losses over the weekend, as Drumheller fell 5-0 to Brooks Friday and a 4-3 overtime loss to the Olds Grizzlys at home on Saturday.
“The first period was difficult for us,” said head coach Dan Price, of Friday’s match against Brooks adding the team had eight players out due to flu and injury. “We didn’t have our legs at first.”
Down by one heading into the second, the Dragons got back on their feet mentally– out shooting the Bandits in the second and equalling them in the third, but failed to get on the scoreboard.
“The score wasn’t indicative to the play, they just got across the line and we didn’t,” said Price.
Back-up Dragons goaltender Garret Beckwith made 32 saves on 37 shots, earning him the away star.
Friday evening was the fourth time this month that Brooks had beaten Drumheller.
On Saturday, Drumheller hosted the Olds Grizzlys to earn one point with an overtime loss, 4-3.
No scoring in the first period, the Dragons came out strong for the second shift with a powerplay goal by Kenton Levesque under a minute in. Another goal 6:33 into the period by Robert Geddes made it 2-0 heading into the final period.
“For our guys to play with as much energy physically and tenacity was, I thought, really impressive.”
The Grizzlys scored three goals within the first 2 and a half minutes of the final period, making it 3-2.
Dragon Davin Stener managed to force it into overtime with a powerplay goal with 3 minutes left in the third.
“As soon as that happened, our guys were able to focus and get back at Olds,” said Price.
Drumheller took a penalty just before heading into the extra period, allowing Olds skater Craig Gans to score with 3 seconds left on the penalty.
“I really felt like based on the way we played throughout the game and the adversity of Olds’ three quick goals was a tremendous step forward and an indication of how much strength this team has.”
On Monday afternoon, Price said the team was getting healthy and ready for Brooks. The entire second line was out on both Friday and Saturday night.
“Guys who aren’t getting as many minutes stepped up and probably played a good 20 minutes each,” said Price. “It was positive to see them play against those opponents with little rest.”
Price says Brooks hasn’t been giving them a tough month, “we’re pretty equally matched.” They’re all just lessons for the team, he says.
“Those are lessons that the team has learned now, how to close teams out and be dominant late in games. It’s just a matter of learning how to do that consistently.”
The Dragons will be taking a break until the 29th, when they’ll hit the ice to lose their turkey legs in preparation for Sunday, January 2 game on the road against the Camrose Kodiaks.
Playoffs begin the last week of February, with the top seven of eight southern teams earning a spot.
The Dragons currently stand in sixth with 32 points, sitting above the Calgary Mustangs and Canucks.
