The Dragons split their games at the AJHL Showcase Weekend in Camrose and are only four points out of the top spot in the Viterra AJHL South.

The  Dragons were sporting a 3-2 record going into the team’s first matchup with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Thursday, September 27 in Camrose. Shane Ott opened the scoring for the Dragons, but the Oil Barons tied it up before the first period was through. Again, the Dragons opened the scoring in the second period. This time Kaden Hanas scored midway through the period, and again the Oil Barons equaled it up before the period was up.

In the third period, the Oil Barons scored short-handed 6:34 in, and then followed it up with a powerplay goal, taking a 4-2 lead. Brady Risk scored with five minutes left, but two more unanswered goals from the Oil Barons ended the game 6-3. The Dragons outshot the Oil Barons 32-20.

On Sunday, they faced their second north division team this season as they took to the ice versus the Drayton Valley Thunder. The Dragons looked dominant as Derrick Budz opened the scoring just three minutes in. Roc Truman scored just 10 minutes later. The Thunder scored on the power play with 54 seconds left in the period.

In the second, the Thunder scored two more to take a 3-2 lead, but the Dragons battled back in the third with two goals from Braydon Nicoletts, Brady Risk and a second from Budz, to end the games 6-3. The Dragons outshot the Thunder 40-21.

The Dragons are sporting a 4-3 record, but in a tough South Division, that puts them in fourth place. They are hoping to make inroads as they face the Camrose Kodiaks Friday, October 5 at home. On Sunday, they are on the road to take on the Okotoks Oilers.

A win by the Senior Titans allowed them to hold tight to the fifth place provincial ranking.

The Titans hosted the Strathmore Spartans under Friday Night Lights in Drumheller September 28. The Titans were first on the scoreboard and led the whole way to a 38-12 victory. Despite the lopsided score, it was a  competitive game.

“They (Strathmore) could move the ball really well through the air. They played differently than a lot of teams in our league who play on the ground,” said coach Ken Fournier.

He said the team’s discipline made the difference.

“I like their discipline level, their ball situational awareness is great,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like we are stopping drives because of holds or procedures, which is good, we are not giving up big plays. The guys are playing really well against the run and the pass.”

Offensively they have lots of options.

    “We have been able to distribute the ball offensively to five or six guys consecutively in games. We have receivers getting the ball more, slot backs are getting the ball too, not just a couple of running backs taking all of the load,” he said.

They are still playing Ironman ball with about 23 on the bench, however, they have only dressed as many as 16 for games, so many are playing both ways.

“The guys are showing all guts right now, there are some bangs and bruises,” he said.

“We have young guys that are playing really well. We have Grade 10 kids coming in and playing two ways and making an impact,” he said.

This win comes after a road win over Canmore, and they are fighting to hold on to the top spot in the league. This will give them a bye when playoffs get underway. They can firm up that spot this Saturday as they host Canmore again.

“If we want to have home-field advantage for the playoffs, we have to win or not lose by more than 11. What it really comes down to is that we have to put our work in. It is going to be a business like game, we are wanting to get it done.”