The Drumheller Dragons took on the Camrose Kodiaks twice in the wind down of the AJHL’s exhibition play over the weekend, taking two losses against the Kodiaks away and at home.
On Friday, Camrose hosted Drumheller at the Edgeworth Centre which saw the team take a 5-2 loss following a 5 on 3 goal by Drumheller that was disallowed.
“The referee said there was a Camrose player in the crease, and that would have made it 1-1 at the time and probably would have changed the momentum a lot,” said head Dragons coach Dan Price.
Price said the loss had nothing to do with Camrose overpowering the team, and attributes it to errors in Drumheller’s defensive zone.
It is something that showed in Drumheller’s game last week against Olds, and something the team will continue to improve upon.
Gamesheets from Friday’s game were not available.
The Dragons hosted Camrose on Saturday following their loss the night before, but did not manage to take the win.
The Memorial Arena saw the Dragons take a 3-1 loss against the Kodiaks.
“We really controlled the puck on the power play,” said Price, “the 3-1 score was indicative, I thought it was more of a 3-3 game. We hit a lot of posts.”
Price said the tone of the game, in terms of physicality and penalties, was an important game for the team.
“The guys learned how important it is to stand up for each other, and exactly how to do so when teams take liberties with us.”
Price thought that either Camrose was coached to take runs at guys, to hit from behind, or if not being taught that, the team was taking the liberty and not listening.
“In my opinion, that is the real disappointment in the game and I’m embarrassed to see those sort of things in our league.”
Tuesday was the last exhibition for the team, who sparred in Olds against the Grizzlys. Results were not available by press time.
“The main lesson, more than anything else, is that our players learn the importance of sticking up for themselves, and each other. As soon as we did that, everything was under control- we had more success offensively and on the scoreboards.”
“I hope the guys learned that because it’ll give us a huge advantage going forward.”
The Dragons will kick off regular season play on the road Friday against the St. Albert Steel.
