Drumheller Dragons | DrumhellerMail - Page #53
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Dragons fans launch teddy bears for Salvation Army

    The Drumheller Dragons hosted the Canmore Eagles on Friday, November 25, and took the lead early with a goal by Josh McKissock.
    The goal sparked the annual Encana Teddy Toss, an event whereby attendees bring teddy bears to the arena and throw them on the ice.
    Fans, young and old alike, pitched their bears over the glass with glee. Many families brought quite a few bears for the event.
    The game paused as the bears, which covered the ice surface, were collected by the Hi-Way 9 Pee Wee Raptors, with help from Dudley and a few of the Dragons players.
    There were approximately 120 teddy bears donated to the Salvation Army on behalf of Encana and the Dragons. The bears will go to local children in need of Christmas presents.


Dragons break cold snap with weekend win

    The Drumheller Dragons got a vital win at home on Friday, November 25, against the Canmore Eagles. The win breaks a seven game losing streak.
    The Dragons came out strong, gaining momentum early with a goal from Josh McKissock, with assistance from Graham Zagrodney and Brennan Baxandall, only 2:50 into the first period.
    The Eagles turned the tables at 10:54 into the first period and continued to pressure the Dragons, scoring two more goals, until late in the second period.
    Logan Sceviour of the Dragons, off a pass from Mitch Owsley, gave the Dragons some fire with a goal at 18:56 in the second period. From there the Dragons dominated the third period, racking up five more goals. Doug Jones had a remarkable night, scoring two goals, including the game winner.
    Braden Gamble was a big factor in the win, stopping 39 shots and being named the Dragons player of the game. “Gamble has been a stellar part of our game, no question,” said head coach Barry Wolff.
    The Dragons skated off the ice with a 7-4 win. The next day, Saturday the 26th, the Dragons made the trip to Okotoks to play the Oilers.
     The Dragons once again made an early appearance on the scoreboard with a goal by Doug Jones, with an assist from Brennan Baxandall, only 0:32 into the game. The goal is the ninth Jones has scored this season, and third in two games.
    The Oilers tied things up at 10:56 with a power play goal. The Dragons took the lead at 14:55 with their own power play goal from Josh McKissock, with assistance from Brennan Baxandall and Keith Csizmadia. The Oilers tied things up again before the first period was done.
    The second period was scoreless, despite the many power play opportunities for both teams.
    Scoring resumed in the third period. The Oilers took the lead at 4:21, but Logan Sceviour answered shortly after and scored the tieing goal with help from Josh McKissock and Mitch Owsley.
    The game remained tied until the end of regulation time and the overtime period. The contest was decided in a shootout.
    Mitch Owsley and Ryan Bloom shot on behalf of the Dragons, but were unsuccessful at getting the puck past the Oilers net minder. The Oilers scored two goals, winning the game.
    “In overtime we hit posts,” said Wolff. “We had our chances to win it.”
    The two games bring the Dragons record to 7-21-0-3. The Dragons move ahead of the Eagles to claim 14th place overall.
    The weekend games are not the only news from the Dragons. There have been several changes in the locker room over the past week.
    The Dragons welcomed forward Justin Cintas to the lineup. Cintas is a native of San Diego, California, and comes to the Dragons from the BCHL Langley Rivermen.
    The Dragons have also seen two departures recently. Dylan Schellenberg, a native to Drumheller was traded to the Estevan Bruins of the SJHL. Trevor Tracy, the Dragons points leader, has gone to the Spruce Grove Saints. Both players were traded for future considerations.
    The Dragons have started a four game stretch on the road. On Friday, December 2, the Dragons are in Okotoks again. The next home game is on December 10 against the Drayton Valley Thunder.
    The Salvation Army will also be running a food drive during the December 10 game to help stock up the food bank before Christmas.

Dragons lair conquered in three game home stand

    The Drumheller Dragons continue to struggle after three games at home on November 16, November 18, and November 19. The Dragons were defeated in all three outings.
    The three losses bring the Dragons record to 6-20-0-2,  with a total of 14 points. The Dragons are 2-8 in their past ten games. They are currently 15 out of 16 teams.
    On Wednesday, November 16, the Dragons faced off against the Lloydminster Bobcats. The Bobcats prevailed with a 1-0 victory.
    Emotions were high, with penalties pervasive throughout the game. The Dragons had nine power plays and the Bobcats seven, but neither team could capitalize. In the third period, seven game misconducts were handed out.
    On Friday, November 18, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons spilled into town and handed the Dragons a 4-1 defeat.
    Both teams were closely matched in shots, but Oil Barons goalie Tanner Jaillet was able to track all but one shot.
    Kenton Levesque, with the assistance of Kevin McMillan, scored the only Dragons goal at 10:28  into the third period.
    Once again the Dragons were unable to take advantage of their five power plays.
    The game on Saturday, November 19, was a closer contest. The Dragons out shot the visiting Canmore Eagles and scored three goals, but lost 5-3.
    The Eagles opened the scoring with two goals in the first period at 10:20 and 14:25, the second being on the power play.
    The Dragons answered with a goal at 15:37 by Keith Csizmadia, with aid from Brody Robinson and Spencer Samuel. Coda Engbar tied the game at 7:29 in the second period. Logan Sceviour and Doug Jones assisted.
    The Eagles took the lead again with a short handed goal, but the Dragons forward Spencer Samuel swiftly tied the game again with an assist going to Josh Kluck.
    The third period spelled the end for the Dragons, and the Eagles scored a power play goal at 5:41 to take the lead. Less than a minute later, the Eagles soon expanded their lead by two.
    As with the other two games last week, Saturday’s game was filled with penalties. However, the Dragons remained silent on the power play once again.
    The Dragons were at home again on Wednesday, November 23, when they the Grande Prairie Storm. The Storm have some momentum, with two wins this past weekend against the Sherwood Park Crusaders.


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