The Drumheller Dragons are back in action and chalked their first win of the season against the Canmore Eagles at home last Saturday night. The team will be away from the Drumheller Memorial Arena until Saturday, October 3 with a five game road stretch.
The Drumheller Dragons came up with their first win of the season, and even better, they did it on their own ice in front of 823 fans.
The Dragons hosted the Canmore Eagles on Saturday night at Drumheller Memorial Arena. The Dragons jumped ahead and were able to keep an attacking Eagles squad at bay.
“The biggest thing is the guys were rewarded for their efforts,” said coach Dan Price. “The pucks finally started going in and all the things they have been doing; the habits they have been building, finally paid off.”
The Dragons’ powerplay yielded a dividend nine minutes into the game as Lee Morrow found the net, assisted by Scott Kennedy and Colten Hayes. Five minutes later Kennedy followed it up, assisted by Colin Bergman, and Hayes. Less than a minute later Mike Marianchuk connected from Doug Jessey and Doug Jones. The Dragons ended the first period up 3-0. Canmore’s lone goal came 12 minutes into the third period. The Eagles outshot Drumheller 40-29.
“Canmore has been playing well. They are aggressive, they skate well and are well coached,” said Price. “They are a really good hockey club, and I think we are too.”
Saturday night’s game followed a home and away series with the Brooks Bandits, which had an ugly outcome at the two teams’ first meeting. With three minutes left in a foregone 4-0 game, Brooks Bandits forward, 6’ 6’’ 232 pound, Justin Lutz dropped the gloves versus Taylor Orser. The fight continued after Orser hit the ice.
Lutz was assessed a five minute match penalty. The next day he was suspended by the league for 25 games. As well Brooks head coach Brian Curran was also suspended for five games for failing to control his players.
When Drumheller travelled to Brooks on Friday night for the second game of the series, the Dragons played with composure.
“It is just a mater of focus, and our guys were extremely focused on playing hockey and playing it the right way. The way we always have been,” said Price. “Skating, using our speed, going to the goal and getting pucks to the net. With all of these things, I thought we did a pretty good job at it.”
Price said Wednesday night’s altercation was an isolated incident.
“You have to realize, this is not a part of hockey and not a part of our league, and we have to move on from there.,” he said.
“I know the league takes it seriously, and everybody takes it seriously, and rightly so.”
The Dragons are on the road for their next five games, and won’t be on home ice until Saturday, October 3 during the AJHL’s showcase weekend.
