Drumheller Dragons | DrumhellerMail

Dragons drop two more

    Despite a tough week for the Drumheller Dragons, the team is showing signs of continuous improvement, according to head coach Barry Wolff.
   The Dragons were on the road to play the Okotoks Oilers on Tuesday, November 8, but fell 5-1. Last Saturday they were in Drayton Valley to take on the Thunder, but lost 6-3.
   Despite this, Wolff says the team is heading in the right direction.
   “We’re really happy with how the team is coming along… slowly but surely,” said Wolff.
   Last Tuesday, the Dragons were first on the scoreboard against the Okotoks Oilers when Coda Engbar scored eight minutes in, assisted by Doug Jones and Trevor Tracy. The Oilers answered back to end the period tied. The Oilers poured it on scoring four more unanswered goals.
   “In the second period we had our chances to score but we didn’t. We were down 3-1 going into the third and we really struggled,” said Wolff.
   Against Drayton Valley, the Dragons outshot the Thunder through two periods and with about 12 minutes left in the third period tied Drayton Valley at three, Kenton Levesque, Ryan Bloom and Doug Jones each had goals. Drayton Valley took control with three unanswered goals.
   “On Saturday we hit a couple goal posts and had some opportunities to take the lead, we just couldn’t find the back of the net,” said Wolff. They came back in the last 10 minutes with the three goals.
   One bright spot Wolff is seeing is that the team is going to the net more in the two games the Dragons have amassed 72 shots on goal.
   “We need to score goals, and that is the only way to do it. Put the puck through and make sure you drive to it,” said Wolff.
   He said the team is getting healthy and working hard to reach its goals.
   “We want to become a solid group and make sure we are playing for each other every shift,” said Wolff. “After losing so many in a row… it’s easy to lose, and you have to learn how to win.”
   Tonight the Dragons begin a five game home stand taking on The Lloydminster Bobcats. On Friday, they host the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, and Saturday take on the Canmore Eagles.

Dragons remain positive under new leadership

    The Drumheller Dragons split over the weekend, and so far new head coach and general manager Barry Wolfe likes the work ethic he is seeing on the ice.
   Last Monday Wolfe was on the ice with the team for the first time after Dan Price was released from the Dragons. On Friday night, the Dragons came up with a win in their first game under the watch of Wolfe, and on Saturday were in contention before losing a close one.
   “I was extremely impressed with the work ethic in these two games, and all week,” said Wolfe. “If we continue to provide that work ethic, it is going to pay off and win us some games.”
   He said another plus is the culture team has created.
   “I am really impressed with the ownership on down to the staff. To me, it has all been first class, and hopefully I can add to that and keep things going the right way,” said Wolfe.
   The Dragons hosted the Calgary Canucks Friday night in front of 556 fans. The Dragons outshot the Canucks in the first period, but it wasn’t until seven minutes into the second period that Trevor Tracy connected from Sam Lawson and Doug Jones, to put the Dragons on the scoreboard. The Canucks evened it up just two minutes later.
   The Dragons were one for five on the powerplay, but the one made all the difference when Keith Csizmadia scored with 1:45 left in the game, from Brennan Baxandall and Tracy.
   Braden Gamble had 35 stops and Tracy was awarded the star of the game.
   Going into the weekend’s game Wolfe said in practice he was stressing getting the puck to the net.
   “We stressed just getting some shots, don’t worry about making that fancy play, we need that opportunity. If you don’t shoot you don’t score,” he said.
   The Dragons home stand continued on Saturday night, this time hosting Calgary Mustangs.
   The Mustangs struck first midway through the first period, but the Dragons went up 2-1 in the second period after Lawson scored assisted by Spencer Samuel and Tracey six minutes in, and then Csizmadia scored short handed at the 10 minute mark, assisted by Kenton Levesque and Giovanni Bombini.
   The Dragons outshot the Mustangs 12-6 in this period, but three of the Mustangs shots connected, all on the powerplay. The final goal was on an empty net.
   “We felt there were four or five opportunities that we didn’t score,” said Wolfe. “That was the turning point for us, we missed opportunities, they got a lucky one.”
   Wolfe said the team has a strong nucleus intact.
   “We have some good young guys that are going to be very good in the future. Up front we have some pretty good skilled guys,” said Wolfe. “Slowly but surely, it will come around.”
   The Dragons played Tuesday night, results not available at press time, and Wolfe says they will be better able to assess the team, and if he sees the opportunity to make positive changes, they will seize it.
   “Obviously if we can improve the team, we definitely will,” said Wolfe.
   The Dragons have had a slow start to the season and are sitting one floor up from the basement in the southern division with a 6-15 record. Despite being battered, they are not beaten.
   “Over the week it has been very upbeat and positive. We are definitely changing the culture, and if there was a negative one there, it is definitely not there now. For us the season started on Friday, and we want to build every day from there on.”

Dragons snap skid

    The Drumheller Dragons snapped their skid last Saturday at Drumheller Memorial Arena, taking down the Camrose Kodiaks.
   The Dragons entered the game without a victory since October 1. They were able to secure the win last Saturday with a score of 5-3.
   Logan Sceviour put the Dragons on the scoreboard five minutes in, assisted by Giovanni Bombini and Brennan Baxandall.However, Camrose evened up before the period was through. Bombini, this time assisted by Sceviour, put the Dragons up 2-1 early in the second and Sam Lawson, assisted by Baxandall, followed up quickly on the powerplay. Camrose found the net just two minutes later, but Spencer Samuel scored his first as a Dragon, assisted by Brody Robinson and Doug Jones to put them up 4-2 after two periods of play.
   A powerplay brought the Kodiaks within striking distance, but with three minutes left Bombini, assisted by Riley Spraggs put the Dragons up 5-3 for the win.
   The Dragons outshot the Kodiaks, who are second in the South Division, 38-29.
   The Dragons are now 5-14 as they enter a new direction. This was coach Dan Price’s last game at the helm. On Sunday night, he was released, and Monday afternoon the Dragons announced Barry Wolff would carry on as head coach and general manager.

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