The Drumheller Dragons greeted the Olds Grizzlies in their first game back from the holidays. The Grizzlies went on a rampage, defeating the Dragons 5-1.
The Grizzlies took the lead early at 4:35 into the first period scoring a controversial goal. It was thought that the Grizzlies may have used their hands to bat the puck into the Dragons net. After the officials discussed the matter it was determined that the player had batted the puck down and used his stick to get the puck past Braden Gamble.
The Grizzlies increased their lead by another goal five minutes later.
The Dragons put pressure on the Grizzlies, but the puck could not find the net until Brennan Baxandall, off of Brodie Jamieson and Sam Lawson, put of shot through traffic and past Grizzlies goalie Ethan Jemieff.
The two rivals fought hard in the second period, but at 14:57 the Grizzlies got the upper hand and scored their third goal. The Grizzlies soon followed with two more before the second period was done.
When the third period commenced, the Dragons brought in backup goaltender Christopher Wray, who was able to stop all of the shots that went his way.
The Dragons return to the Drumheller Memorial Arena tonight to face the Calgary Canucks. The Canucks are coming off a loss as well and are only four points ahead of the Dragons.
“We had a really good practice this morning all about competing and work ethic,” said head coach Barry Wolff. “The Canucks are a team that’s in our reach, we need to bear down and win that game.”
Barry Pozzo will be presenting his yearly Off-Ice Official of the Year Award just prior to puck drop and the action will then start at 7:30 p.m.
