It was an exciting night for Dragons fans this past Friday. In a physical game against the invading Sherwood Park Crusaders, the Dragons triumphed 2-0.
The game got off to a physical start for both teams. Play was halted several times as players nearly came to blows after the whistle had sounded.
The referees were mostly able to restore order, except when the Dragons disagreed with Bowen Croft of the Crusaders when he dished out a nasty check from behind. The ensuing rumble between the Dragons and Crusaders resulted in four roughing penalties, and Croft was ejected from the game.
“As an ex coach of a northern team we always came to the south knowing we just had to be physical. We knew Sherwood Park would come in and try to run rough over us,” said Dragons head coach and general manager, Brian Curran.
“I was probably happiest to see a game where a bunch of players worked their tails off and it was physical and emotional. If you don’t have emotion in a hockey game, there’s something wrong with you. The boys stood up for each other, backed each other up, they cared about each other, and they didn’t let Sherwood Park run them out of the building.”
Amidst those heated moments, the Dragons were able to capitalize on a power play at 8:27 into the first period. Mitchell Cook, off of Ryan Aasman and Dakota Zaharichuk. For nearly the rest of the game, the score remained 1-0.
Aasman has been something of a play maker in the first several games of the season, with 3 assists in as many games.
“Ryan has always had that ability for as long as I can remember. He’s very smooth and a significant part of our defence,” said Curran.
With less than a minute left in the game, the Crusaders pulled their goalie in the hopes an extra attacker would help tie the game up. Dragons forward Brodie Jamieson took advantage of the wide open net and gave the Dragons their second goal of the game.
Jamieson has three goals so far this season.
“He’s been tenacious, on the puck all the time, and one of the veterans that I am pleased with his work ethic. He’s been skating very hard. He’s a guy that wants this team to be successful,” said Curran.
Jamieson and Aasman currently share the most points on the team with rookie Dakota Zaharichuk, with three apiece.
The Dragons star of the game, however, was goaltender Christopher Wray, who earned a shut out by stopping all 28 shots sent his way, including a couple breakways by the Crusaders.
“I thought it was a good game on both sides. I would’ve liked to capitalize on some of our power plays, we had some good chances, but their goalie played very well,” said Curran. “Wray faced two breakaways and did a great job on those. Their goalie made some good saves and a couple that I don’t know how he got across to them, but he did.”
The Dragons have so far earned a 2-1 record this season, placing them in a tie for third place in the southern division with the Canmore Eagles.
The Dragons will be hitting the road for their next two games. On Friday, the Dragons will be in Canmore to clip the wings of the Eagles. On Sunday, the Dragons will once again be in Calgary to face the Canucks. The Dragons remain in Calgary to face the Mustangs on Tuesday.
The Dragons won’t return to the Drumheller Memorial Arena until October 17.
