The Drumheller Dragons are searching for answers after a shut out defeat of 5-0 at the hands of the Okotoks Oilers.
In the last two meetings between the Dragons and Oilers the games were close, with each being decided in a shoot out. On December 21 however, the Oilers dominated.
The Dragons began the game on the defensive. The Oilers pressured the Dragons, preventing the them from generating much offense. The Dragons were only able to fire four shots at the Oilers net in the first period.
After the first intermission the Dragons came out stronger and managed to generate a lot more scoring opportunities in the second and third periods, but couldn’t get the puck past Oilers goaltender Jared D’Amico.
“In the last 8 minutes we played like we could, but we couldn’t get any goals,” said head coach Barry Wolff.
Penalties, although fewer than recent games, were the bane of the Dragons in Wednesday’s game. The penalty killing units were unable to prevent the Oilers from scoring three powerplay goals.
The Dragons powerplay couldn’t penetrate the Oilers defense and were 0 for 5. The Oilers were able to turn things around on a tripping penalty incurred by them, getting past the Dragons powerplay unit and scoring short handed.
“We had chances to score, but we didn’t. Then they scored short handed, which took the wind out of our sails,” said Wolff.
Wednesday’s game was the second last before the Dragons, and the rest of the AJHL take their Christmas break.
