Sports | DrumhellerMail

Dragons hold on to third in the South Division

With about a month left in the regular season, the Drumheller Dragons are clinging to third place in the AJHL south and earned two of possible six points last week.

The Dragons were on the road on Wednesday, January 23 to take on the Spruce Grove Saints who are in third in the AJHL Vittera North Division. Spruce Grove led 2-0 after one and scored 15 seconds into the second period to go up by three. Brady Risk scored with three and a half minutes left in the second to put the Dragons on the scoreboard.

Early in the third, the Saints stretched the lead to 4-1. The Dragons fought back and Roc Truman scored at the 2:12 mark, and Shane Ott scored with 2:26 left but that was as close as the Dragons could get, falling 4-3.

The Dragons were back home on Friday, January 25 to take on the Canmore Eagles. They wasted no time and the score was 2-0 by the end of the first period with a power play goal from Roc Truman and then Brett Edwards.

Canmore scored at the 7:16 mark of the second, but the Dragons scored their second powerplay goal of the game from Brayden Nicholetts, followed by a goal from Markus Boguslavsky.

Canmore scored again 15 minutes into the third period but Edwards scored his second of the game to put it out of reach, winning 5-2.

On Sunday, January 27, the Dragons were back on the road to take on the Sherwood Park Crusaders, who are currently in second place in the North. The Crusaders went on a rampage early and were up 3-0 by the midpoint of the second period. Edwards scored short-handed with seven and a half minutes left in the period, but were trailing 4-1 by the end of the second. An early goal in the third period put the Crusaders up 5-1, but Shane Ott added one for the Dragons at the midway point, ending the game losing 5-2.

This Friday, February 1 the Dragons are in Calgary to take on the Canucks, and then Saturday at home to take on the Brooks Bandits.

McDonald’s Novice Raptors strike silver

The Raptors hosted a six-team tournament that included Airdrie, Chestermere, Stony Plain, Leduc and Strathmore on January 18 - 20.

The Raptors played well going 3-1 in round robin play with victories over Strathmore, Airdrie, and Leduc. They fell to Chestermere, 7-5.

These results put them into the final on Sunday afternoon, where they once again faced Chestermere. While earlier in the season the Raptors claimed victory over Chestermere, the Lakers had the upper hand with another 7-5 win.

Coach Bern Mackey was happy with how the team played especially with a short bench. The Raptors have only 10 skaters.

They have been doing really well all year and had a strong showing in the tournament,” said Mackey. “Guys are stepping up really well and working our system and playing a team game. We had the most complete team effort in the tournament.”

The Raptors have a busy schedule, with two games this coming weekend and then a tournament in Rocky Mountain House in two weeks.

As for Chestermere, it appears a little bit of rivalry is developing.

“Don’t worry, playoffs are coming,” said Mackey.

Dragon breaks historic record

Sept 14 Vs Brooks Home Opener 209

It was an exciting week for the Dragons. Not only did they welcome their first signing of the 2019-2020 season but Jordan Taupert also became the Dragons all-time career goal-scoring leader.

They also earned four of a possible six points with a win and two overtime losses.

On Tuesday, January 15, the Dragons hosted the Okotoks Oilers. On the bench with the Dragons that night was Nickolas de Beurs. The 17-year-old from Cochrane has signed a letter of intent to play with the Dragons come next season.

“We are very excited Nick and his family have chosen the Dragons,” said Coach Kevin Hasselberg. “Nick’s values align with ours and we are confident his transition from midget to junior will be with relentless preparation and a lot of hard work. Nick’s effort in games played with us already this season has shown he has the abilities to be a successful Alberta Junior Hockey player.”

On the ice, the Dragons jumped ahead with a goal from Tory Dudley 10 minutes in, but the Oilers tied it up to end the first period.

The Oilers then went on a two-goal streak in the second period, but a goal with a minute left from Kiano Robinson put the Dragons back within reach trailing 3-2.

Brett Edwards scored three minutes into the third period to tie the game, this forced overtime where Okotoks scored 48 seconds in for the win.

On Friday, January 18, the Dragons were in Camrose. Roc Truman scored at the 9:40 mark shorthanded to take an early lead. Less than two minutes later the Kodiaks tied it. The Dragons took a 3-1 lead in the second period with goals from Eric Martin and Derrick Budz, respectively.

In the third period, the Kodiaks scored three straight goals to take the lead but with 14 seconds left Bryaden Nicholetts scored to force overtime. Just 26 second into extra time the Kodiaks took the win.

On Saturday night, the Dragons were in Olds to take on the Grizzlys. After a scoreless first period, Brady Risk put the Dragons on the scoreboard. This was followed in short order by Taupert who scored his 66th career goal becoming the all-time leader. This topped Derek Werenka’s record set in 2007. Taupert is also the Dragons all-time top point getter and all assist leader.

The Dragons’ scoring continued with Roc Truman and Brett Edwards finding the net, winning 4-1. The Dragons outshot the Grizzlys 42-27 and were 40 per cent on the powerplay.

The Dragons are in Spruce Grove on Wednesday, January 23, but back on home ice on January 25 to take on the Canmore Eagles.

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