The Dragons are hoping to heal up this week to be a force to be reckoned come the playoffs.
The Dragons have been limping towards the postseason and after last weekend they are on an eight-game skid. They have one more regular season game versus Olds before playoffs this coming Saturday, and Coach Darryl Olsen hopes they can use the time to heal and refocus.
“This is coming at a perfect time for us, we are still not 100 per cent healthy,” said Coach Olsen. “Last week we had one practice where we actually had 20 guys. So this week will be good, we can get back to the drawing board and start putting our systems back together.”
Last weekend was a tough one for the squad. On Friday, February 24, the team was in Okotoks to take on the Oilers. Okotoks jumped out to a two-goal lead before Jordan Evans scored for the Dragons on the power play with a minute left in the first period.
Joren Patenaude tied it up at the 6:16 mark of the second period. Just three minutes later Okotoks scored the winner.
On Saturday, Okotoks came to Drumheller for the home and away series. This time the Dragons jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Clay Keeley and then Tyler Kreklewich. The Oilers tied it up in the second period and then went ahead 6-2 in the third period. Andrew Kartusch made it 6-3 to end the game.
“The first two periods were really good, and then we just kind fell into some penalty trouble and then the wheels just fell off. Those first two periods is the kind of hockey we are going to play when we get everybody back, high energy, lots of puck movement, lots of shots.”
He is looking forward to a healthy playoff series. Their opponent is yet to be determined. Before then, they have one more game versus the Olds Grizzlys on the road this Saturday.
“We have this week, and then a few days before the first playoff game. We are looking forward to all of these guys getting back together. There is nothing like being on the ice together in practice as one cohesive unit.”
