Drumheller Dragons | DrumhellerMail

Dragons fired up after first win over Eagles

    With a 3-2 win in game one of the first round of playoffs against the Canmore Eagles, the Drumheller Dragons have set the tone for the rest of the series.
   Despite the Dragons victory, it was the Eagles who set the pace early in the game and had the Dragons on their heels. After 3:19, the Eagles scored the first goal of the night.
   Afterwards, the Dragons began to shake off the playoff jitters and came out with a hard-hitting game. Then, a hooking penalty by the Eagles at 8:43 gave the Dragons a break.
   Just under 20 seconds later, Ryan Aasman sent a blistering shot from the blue line through traffic and into the back of the Eagles net.
   The rest of the period was owned by the Dragons, but they couldn’t break past the solid goal-tending of Eagle Ty Swabb. The teams headed back to their dressing rooms locked in a 1-1 tie.
   In only 17 seconds after the second period began, the Dragons wasted no time gaining the lead. Captain Brennan Baxandall sent a scorching snap shot from the blue line for the Dragons second goal of the night.
   Five minutes later, a brawl ensued between Cavin Leth and Tyler Poskus of the Dragons, and Nils Moser and Simon Philp of the Eagles after Moser boarded Leth. All involved were sent to the penatly box.
   Things remained at even strength for several minutes until Baxandall and Tyler Kerner were handed roughing and tripping penalties, respectively. At 8:51, Mitchell Gartner was sent away for holding.
   The penalty box was standing room only as the five Dragons were left to watch helplessly as their team, with a two man disadvantage, fought off the Eagles power play squad for 1:40.
   The Dragons defenders kept the Eagles at bay, blocked some key shots, and Dragons goalie Adam Beukeboom made some colossal saves to keep the Dragons ahead.
   The penalty kill fired up the Dragons. When the Eagles incurred an ineligible player penalty, the Dragons struck.
   Harrison Hendrix attempted a pass in front of the Eagles net, but the puck caught the skate of an Eagle defender and was deflected into the net for the Dragons third goal of the night.
   The Eagles weren't done yet. After a face off in the Dragons end, they snuck the puck past Beukeboom to bring the game to 3-2.
   The Dragons hung on to their lead throughout the third. In the dying minutes the Eagles began to desperately tie things up and kept the Dragons pinned in their end. With some great defence and goal-tending, the Dragons hung on for the first win of the series.
   The Dragons and Eagles met again tonight. To learn what happened, check out www.drumhellermail.com.

Christopher Rauckman delivers a meteoric slap shot.

Adam Beukeboom gave the Dragons solid goaltending all night, stopping quite a few game-changers from the Eagles.

Bryton Mills was a force to be reckoned both in the offensive and defensive zones and was instrumental in killing 1:40 of a two man disadvantage for the Dragons in the second period.

Brooks Bandits burglarize Dragons’ den

    The Drumheller Memorial Arena was robbed Wednesday night when the Brooks Bandits came to town and stole a 5-3 win over the Dragons.
   The Dragons were on their heels for the first several minutes of the game. The Bandits were able to keep the Dragons caged in their own end. When the Dragons regained their composure, they managed to get a few chances in the Bandits end.
   However, the momentum early on was clearly in the Bandits favour, especially after they scored first at 4:19 into the game.
   The Dragons fought back and were generating plenty of chances, including a wide open net shot by Mitchell Cook in front of the net. Bandits goalie, Michael Fredrick, out of position, managed to dive and make the glove save, robbing Cook of the Dragons first goal.
   The Bandits struck again at 15:38 into the first for a 2-0 lead.
   The Dragons came back just over a minute later when Stephen Doane, behind the Bandits net, passed out front to Hunter Mills, who in turn sent the puck back to Mitchell Gartner at the blue line. Gartner let loose with a blistering shot, that went through traffic to find the back of the net.
   Whatever momentum was generated offensively was lost in the Dragons defence. With less than a minute left in the first, the Bandits took advantage of some defensive breakdowns in the Dragons end. During a line change for the Dragons, the Bandits took control of the puck and charged into the Dragons end, scoring their third goal of the night.
   The Bandits would increase their lead to four in the middle of the second while the Dragons were down a man following a boarding penalty by Tristan Reimer.
   The Dragons had more luck in the third period. Ryan Bloom gave the Dragons their second goal of the night. The Bandits increased their lead again on another powerplay goal after Reimer was sent to the box for high-sticking.
   With a minute left in the game, Brodie Jamieson scored the Dragons third goal, but it proved to be too little too late and the Bandits skated away with the win.
   With only three games left in the season, the Dragons are assured a playoff position. Their opponent in the first round is currently the Canmore Eagles, but depending on the outcome of the last several games, the Dragons may find themselves up against the Olds Grizzlys or Calgary Mustangs.
   The Dragons hit the road on Saturday, February 23 to face the Eagles in their nest.

Off-ice officials needed for Dragons games

    The Drumheller Dragons are on the lookout for new volunteers to help fill key vacant positions for off-ice officials.
   The search began after losing several long term volunteers.
   “We’ve lost three volunteers in the past couple years and with job transfers and other circumstances, we may lose another couple from the crew next season,” said Barry Pozzo, head off-ice official coordinator.
   Off-ice officials oversee all home games for the Dragons. Positions include a scorekeeper, timekeeper, penalty box attendants, and goal judges.
   “We’ve had a pretty dedicated and professional crew over the past 10 seasons, but many of them are elderly, so it’s time for recruitment,” said Pozzo.
   Those interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Pozzo at 403-823-6601 or the Dragons head office at 403-823-2022.
   “If anyone is interested and available to help with any remaining games this season, we could get them into some games and get their feet wet,” said Pozzo. “There are many perks as a volunteer. We look forward to hearing from anyone who wants to join.”

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