It’s been a rollercoaster season for the Drumheller Dragons so far. The team has gone through difficult lows to roaring highs over the past four months.
It’s a season of change for the team after posting 17 wins and 43 losses in the 2011-2012 season. Compared to last year, this iteration of the Dragons is markedly different.
Things were looking promising after the Dragons posted an impressive preseason, winning the majority of their games.
Then the regular season began and things started to look grim for the team. By the end of October, the team had gone through a nine game losing streak and had won only seven of 18 games.
For awhile, the Dragons were occupying the last spot in the standings of the AJHL southern division.
Then, in November, things began to turn around for the team. Starting November 11, the wins started to pour in and they went on a rampage with an eight game winning streak.
“It’s been quite the run over the past couple months. We had a rough patch, but we rebounded well,” said head coach and general manager Brian Curran. “We had to [rebound] or we’d be in a lot of trouble.”
Over November and December, the Dragons won 12 of their 19 games and headed into Christmas with a record of 19 wins, 15 losses, and 4 over time losses. During that time, the Dragons were seeing greater performances out of its goaltenders and a power play that was red hot.
The success of the past two months has also propelled the team from last place in the AJHL southern division to fourth, which will grant them a playoff position.
Aside from success of the season so far, this year saw many changes to the staff and players on the team.
In March, Brian Curran, who had coached the Brooks Bandits in 2008-2009 and the Lloydminster Bobcats for the previous two seasons, signed a five year contract with the Dragons. From there, the coaching staff was completely transformed.
The team hosted two training camps over the spring and summer and began working to put together a winning team. Between the camps and trades made throughout the season, only four Dragons from last year are currently on the active roster.
The Dragons return to play at home on January 9 at 7:30 p.m.
