The Drumheller Dragons have begun their season on the right foot with a convincing win over the Lloydminster Bobcats on the road Sunday.
The Dragons jumped out to a good start and ending the first period up 3-1, and utilized the powerplay well in the second period to seal the game. While the score was lopsided, the Bobcats kept in the hunt.
“You have to give Lloydminster credit they competed all game even when there was a substantial lead,” said coach Dan Price.
The Bobcats outshot the Dragons 32-19, and 19-year-old James D’Andrea backstopped the Dragons for his first in wearing a Drumheller jersey.
Kevin McMillan, in his third season with the Dragons found the net less than three minutes in. Fellow veteran Kenton Levesque followed up 50 seconds later. Lloydminster showed life at the eight minute mark, but Levesque closed the last minute of the period out with his second goal.
The Dragons were 3-9 on the powerplay, and all three came in the second period as Drumheller native Josh Kluck and eighteen-year-old Logan Sceviour each found the net. McMillan’s second goal put the Dragons up 6-1, where they remained until the final minute when the Bobcats connected on the powerplay, making it 6-2.
Doug Junes had two assists.
“We want to make sure the team is extremely balanced and competitive every night. We were getting contributions from all four lines and all six defensemen that were in the game. Everyone contributed to the effort,” said Price.
While it is a great start, Price sees room for improvement.
“I think all the players will agree that we need to make good decisions with the puck so we are not turning it over. We could have had the puck even more than we did,” said Price.
“I am happy with the result, I am happy with the effort, but we all want to make sure we are very consistent as a group in our habits,” said Price. “We want to assure that we are consistent, strong and smart. We got away from that a little bit at times as far as how we managed the puck.”
The Dragons are back in action on Thursday night in Calgary versus the Mustangs, and will be back in Drumheller this Friday for their home opener versus the Spruce Grove Saints.
