The Drumheller Dragons’ most recent acquisition has made an immediate impact in the line-up, scoring two, including the overtime winner, last Saturday at Drumheller Memorial Arena.
Breyden Decock arrived last week and played his first game with the club on Saturday night, versus the Canmore Eagles. He made his presence known five minutes in with a powerplay goal. It went from start to finish as he also came up with the goal in first overtime to see the Dragons emerge victorious.
“We had done some research on him and knew he was extremely fast, and tenacious. He is an extremely hard worker, skilled player and a great person. He was all of these things on Saturday,” said coach Dan Price. “We love his speed and obviously he is very poised with the puck and sees the ice very well. He can play with anybody because he is such a hard worker, he is going to fit in very well.”
With Decock’s efforts, Price said many aspects the game were strong for the Dragons.
“Obviously again we had great goaltending. Andy was exceptional all game long and that was really important,” said Price.
“Our special teams made a big difference in the game obviously our powerplay was exceptional and we had a lot of penalties to kill, and our penalty killers did a fantastic job of getting that done. That was some adversity we faced, because that can be fatiguing.”
“On The powerplay, I thought we played with poise. Rob Geddes, Doug Jessey and Evan Warner in particular made great decisions with the puck at important moments in the game.”
Decock’s goal in the first period resulted in a 1-1 tie. Two minutes later another new addition on to the team Casey Fratkin scored his first as a Dragon on the powerplay. Warner added one more powerplay goal at the 19 minute mark of the first to put Drumheller up 3-1.
The Eagles tied it at three each in the second period, but Warner scored his second of the game, and ninth of the season in the third period. Canmore answered back two minutes later.
In overtime Decock sealed the win, from Geddes on his second assist of the night. Andrew Williams stopped 37 shots.
“As the game went on… at no point did the team panic or let frustration get the better of them. They just reset mentally, would line up and went back out to score again. That was an important step for our team mentally. To keep responding irrespective of what was happening in the game,” said Price.
December has treated the Dragons better than November. Already they have gone 2-1, and their only loss was by a single point.
“It is a direct result of us being more focused and more consistent on the ice. It is us concentrating harder and at important times in the game and away from the puck. These are tough things to learn. It takes a lot of mentally focus and metal energy. It is a skill like everything else and our players are learning that.”
December is a busy month leading up to the Christmas break. The Dragons face the Calgary Canucks this Wednesday, and then are on the road to St. Albert and the Fort McMurray before they return home on December 18 to play the Spruce Grove Saints.
