While the Dragons have fallen three in a row, coach Dan Price says they are playing strong hockey and are looking to improve on their next road trip.
The Dragons are on their way north this weekend to play the Bonnyville Pontiacs and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. This follows on a week where they bowed to the Sherwood Park Crusaders and twice to the Camrose Kodiaks.
Last Thursday, in Camrose, Price says the team started slow and did not manage the puck well in the neutral zone. They improved through the second half of the game, and goals by Keith Csizmadia in the second period and Sam Lawson in the third, had the teams tied at two with seven minutes to go. Camrose exploited a Dragons error, which lead to a two-on-one for the game winner.
“It was really a good finish for us,” said Price.
He said the team continued to play strong heading home last Saturday. Mitch Owsley and Trevor Tracy kept the game tied at two after one period. Brody Robinson scored in the third keeping the game tied after two. The Crusaders went up 5-3 in the third, but in the dying seconds, Ryan Bloom scored on the powerplay, ending the gamed 5-4 for the Crusaders.
“I thought we had the majority of the scoring chances by far, and we deserved to win that game," said Price.
“It could have been our best game of the year.”
The follow up on Sunday night was lack lustre. Camrose dominated from start to finish, winning 4-0.
“We were flat, I didn’t feel like we were the better team in that particular game,” said Price. “We were a bit of a road weary team and a bit beat up. To be where we want to be this year we need to push through and get those points and win those games on the road. There were some highs and lows, but hopefully some good lessons learned by the guys.”
The Dragons are in Bonnyville this Friday and then in Fort McMurray on Saturday.
“It is exciting, we get to go right back on the road… it is a great challenge and test for us Friday and Saturday,” said Price.
The Dragons are back home on Tuesday, October 18 to play the Brooks Bandits.
