Sports | DrumhellerMail

Dragons win one at home

The Dragons will be short handed for the next few games after a skirmish at the end of Saturday’s win over the Calgary Mustangs last Saturday at home.
   The Dragons hosted the Calgary Canucks in front of 526 fans and despite a slow start, took control of the game.
   The Dragons were up just 21 seconds in with a goal from Chad Hurtubise, however Calgary ended the period up 2-1.
The Dragons regrouped and outshot the Mustangs 19-5. Jordan Taupert scored twice and the game was tied 3-3 going into the third period.
   In the third period, Evan Rochowiak and Brett Campbell each scored putting the Dragons up 5-3, and out of reach.
   “The first period against Calgary was one of the worst periods we have had in the last five or six games,” said Coach Brian Curran. “We recovered in the second and third period which is the kind of hockey I like.”
   Things got chippy at the end and it will have an effect on the Dragons going forward. Brett Campbell was suspended for two games as a result of being involved in a fight at the end of the game, Evan Tschumi will miss 5 games after being assessed a match penalty and Slater Dykema will miss one for a game misconduct.
   “It’s unfortunate. We don’t want to be known as a team like that. Both teams were reprimanded pretty hard,” Curran said. “It puts us in a hole because we are going to be short now.”
   This game followed a Friday night 4-1 loss to the Camrose Kodiaks. Hurtubise had the lone goal for the Dragons.
   “I thought in the Camrose game we didn’t play Drumheller hockey,” said Curran. “I think we skated hard and played hard, but we weren’t as aggressive getting it to the net or winning battles. I think it was a good all around game as far as guys working hard, but we have to be a much more physical team, especially against a team like Camrose, you are not going to get many chances and you have to capitalize on them.”
   This Friday, November 4, the Dragons are up against the Spruce Grove Saints and the on Saturday, face the Drayton Valley Thunder.

CBAC swimmers learn from Olympian

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Local swimmers had the opportunity to meet and learn from an Olympian.

Local swimmers had the opportunity to meet and learn from an Olympian.
   The Canadian Badlands Aquatic Club hosted a swim clinic on Tuesday, October 11 at Genesis Place in Airdrie. At the clinic, three-time Canadian Olympian Ryan Cochrane was at the event.
   Cochrane competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing where he won bronze in the 1,500-freestyle. He was back in the pool at the 2012 Olympics in London and won silver in the same event.   While he did not medal at the 2016 Rio Games, he has amassed medals in the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the World Championship.
   Members of CBAC were able to get a few pointers from Cochrane, and he also spoke on his experiences. In turn the club presented him with a signed flutter board.

St. Anthony’s Saints win bronze at home tourney

The St. Anthony’s junior A girls volleyball team earned a bronze medal at its home tournament.
   On Friday, October 21, the Saints hosted Trochu, Delia and the new Wheatland Crossing School in a tournament. They ended up facing Trochu in the bronze medal match, and found themselves down after the first set, but pulled together to win the match.
   “We got off to a slow start in the bronze medal game, losing the first set, and I have to say that I was really concerned about possibly finishing last in our own tournament,’ said coach David Easter. “However, the girls battled as hard as they have at any point this season – many of them playing with injuries – and were able to come from behind in the second set to win it. That really showed the character of our team by fighting back against that adversity, both on the court, and on the bench by cheering on the girls on the floor and being ready to jump in when I called on them for a sub.”
   The team has been improving all season and their success is backed by strong serving.
   “Our serving has definitely been a strong point all year, and the passing continues to improve as we go,” said Easter. “Our big focus for the next while is going to be on court position for both offense and defense, as there are times that we get caught out of position and it really hurts us. Trying to eliminate ball-watching is also a big objective for us. Hitting/spiking continues to be a work in progress, and we are starting to see some good aggressive smashes to win points.”
   This weekend the Saints are in Three Hills for tournament play. After that, they have two regular season games versus Hanna and Morrin. Championship night for the league is on Thursday November 3. If they qualify, zones are on November 11 and 12.

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