The Drumheller Dragons are tightening their grip on their playoff position.
A point earned in an intense showdown with the Camrose Kodiaks on Tuesday, February 7, gives the Dragons more room over the rival Canmore Eagles and puts them closer to overtaking the Calgary Canucks in the standings.
The Dragons and Kodiaks had faced one another on February 1 in Camrose. The Dragons were defeated 4-3 in overtime. The result in their most recent match was another heartbreaking overtime loss.
Coda Engbar, with assistance from Simon Horlick, got the Dragons the lead at 13:13 into the first period.
The Dragons held on to their one goal lead for most of the second period, but the Kodiaks managed to get the puck past Braden Gamble to tie the game up.
Darian Henry incurred a major penalty for fighting at 19:49 into the second period.
With a man down at the start of the third, the Dragons fought hard to work through the penalty kill. At 2:16 into the third, the Kodiaks got the upper hand and took a 2-1 lead.
The Dragons redoubled their efforts and held the Kodiaks within reach. With just under a minute left in the game, Ryan Bloom, with help from David Stener and Sam Lawson, tied the game 2-2.
The Dragons and Kodiaks headed for another overtime showdown. Unfortunately, Kodiaks scored at 0:48 into overtime and handed the Dragons another overtime loss.
The overtime loss gives the Dragons another point over the Eagles. The Dragons are now at 37 and the Eagles 33. The Dragons are only two points behind the Canucks.
“We were down by one and they answered,” said Barry Wolff, head coach. “That point for us is going to be huge down the stretch.”
Wolff also commented on how the Dragons have climbed the standings.
“We’ve always competed, but we’re definitely coming along as a team. Our goal was to get better every day and we’re doing that,” said Wolff.
The prospect of playoffs hasn’t phased the Dragons. Wolff assured the team is focused on the next game.
The Dragons will be looking to increase the gap between them and the Eagles and overtake the Canucks this weekend.
Tonight, at 7:30 p.m., in the Drumheller Memorial Arena the Dragons will be up against Olds Grizzlys and tomorrow night, the Okotoks Oilers.
