The regular season for the Drumheller Dragons is not over yet, but the prospect of the team heading to the AJHL playoffs is closer to being a reality.
    As of press time the Dragons were at 39 points and in the final playoff spot of the southern division. The Canmore Eagles were on the heels of the Dragons with 35 points. The Calgary Canucks are within reach at 41 points.
    The Dragons 5-2 win over the Olds Grizzlys on Friday, February 10, keeps the Dragons two wins ahead of the Eagles.
    The game was a hard hitting affair and both teams were being heavily scrutinized by the referees. The Dragons gave the Grizzlys ten powerplay opportunities. The strong penalty killing squads of the Dragons kept the Grizzlys at bay.
    The Grizzlys were also hit hard by the referees whistle, giving the Dragons nine powerplay chances. The Dragons were able to take advantage and score on four of their powerplays.
    Head coach Barry Wolff explained the Dragons powerplay has come a long way.
    “It’s been hot and cold for us, but down the stretch here we hope it’ll be hot and seal the playoff spot for us,” said Wolff.
    The Grizzlys got the first goal of the game, but their lead did not survive the first period. At 15:01 into the first, Josh McKissock tied the game up and soon after, Doug Jones gave the Dragons a one goal lead.
    The Grizzlys tied the game early in the second period while the Dragons were shorthanded. Two goals from Ryan Bloom and another by Josh McKissock put the Dragons ahead by three and ensured their victory.
    The next night the Dragons hosted the Okotoks Oilers. The Dragons weren’t able to keep their momentum from the night before and lost 7-4.
    The Dragons got the first goal at 1:57 into the first period off a pass by Brodie Jamieson from behind the net out front to Coda Engbar. The Dragons held off the Oilers until 18:51, when the Oilers were able to score while they were shorthanded.
    The Oilers got ahead by two early into the second. Two goals from Ryan Bloom and Josh McKissock tied the game, but the Oilers ended the second ahead by one goal after the Oilers were awarded and scored on a penalty shot.
    In the third period, the Oilers scored three more and put the game out of reach for the Dragons.
    “Friday night we played well in all aspects of the game for all sixty minutes, but Saturday we just didn’t come out with the same flair and tenacity that we  needed. After Friday night, we almost got too high on the emotion and that hurt us on Saturday. We need to go into the games a bit more even-keeled and play with the attitude that we expect to win,” said Wolff.
    The Dragons were at home yesterday evening for a crucial game against the Canmore Eagles. The results were not available at press time, but a win by the Dragons would secure them a spot in the playoffs.
    The Dragons will have a chance to avenge their loss against the Oilers in their last game of the season tomorrow night in the Drumheller Memorial Arena at 7:30 p.m.

    The Drumheller Dragons are tightening their grip on their playoff position.
    A point earned in an intense showdown with the Camrose Kodiaks on Tuesday, February 7, gives the Dragons more room over the rival Canmore Eagles and puts them closer to overtaking the Calgary Canucks in the standings.
    The Dragons and Kodiaks had faced one another on February 1 in Camrose. The Dragons were defeated 4-3 in overtime. The result in their most recent match was another heartbreaking overtime loss.
    Coda Engbar, with assistance from Simon Horlick, got the Dragons the lead at 13:13 into the first period.
    The Dragons held on to their one goal lead for most of the second period, but the Kodiaks managed to get the puck past Braden Gamble to tie the game up.
    Darian Henry incurred a major penalty for fighting at 19:49 into the second period.
    With a man down at the start of the third, the Dragons fought hard to work through the penalty kill. At 2:16 into the third, the Kodiaks got the upper hand and took a 2-1 lead.
    The Dragons redoubled their efforts and held the Kodiaks within reach. With just under a minute left in the game, Ryan Bloom, with help from David Stener and Sam Lawson, tied the game 2-2.
    The Dragons and Kodiaks headed for another overtime showdown. Unfortunately, Kodiaks scored at 0:48 into overtime and handed the Dragons another overtime loss.
    The overtime loss gives the Dragons another point over the Eagles. The Dragons are now at 37 and the Eagles 33. The Dragons are only two points behind the Canucks.
    “We were down by one and they answered,” said Barry Wolff, head coach. “That point for us is going to be huge down the stretch.”
    Wolff also commented on how the Dragons have climbed the standings.
    “We’ve always competed, but we’re definitely coming along as a team. Our goal was to get better every day and we’re doing that,” said Wolff.
    The prospect of playoffs hasn’t phased the Dragons.  Wolff assured the team is focused on the next game.
    The Dragons will be looking to increase the gap between them and the Eagles and overtake the Canucks this weekend.
    Tonight, at 7:30 p.m., in the Drumheller Memorial Arena the Dragons will be up against Olds Grizzlys and tomorrow night, the Okotoks Oilers.