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CBAC swimmers shine at Pugsley's Plunge swim meet

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Success and smiles were prevalent as nine swimmers from the Canadian Badlands Aquatic Club (CBAC) competed in the Puglsey’s Plunge swim meet on January 21 and 22.
All swimmers finished the meet with several improved times. Suvera Ram, 10, swam her 100m Breaststroke and 50m Breaststroke quickly enough to qualify for the 2023 Winter Festival South.
“I knew Suvera was getting close to a festival time, but when she got two at Puglsey’s, it was more than exciting for us. She told me it was a swim meet she will remember all of her life,” said coach Brenda Davies.
Festival was held in Calgary on January 28 and 29. Suvera competed in seven events and improved her times in all seven.
“It was such a successful and confidence-boosting meet for Suvera. She swam against her peers who also had achieved Festival times.” said Davies.
At Puglsey’s, Grady McGoughan, 16, missed his provincial qualifying time by 3/100ths of a second in the 50m Breaststroke event. He has two more opportunities to hit that time, this past weekend in Calgary and again on February 11 and 12 in Red Deer. If he qualifies, he will compete in Provincial Trials in Calgary, February 24 - 26.
CBAC’s next meet is in Red Deer.


Dragons clinch playoff spot

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The Dragons have clinched a playoff spot and picked up three of a possible four points over the weekend, taking on the Sherwood Park Crusaders and the Drayton Valley Thunder.
On Friday night, February 3, the Dragons faced off in the Drumheller Memorial Arena against the Crusaders. The Dragons lead after the first period on a goal from Vann Yuhas, but the Crusaders came back in the second to tie it up. Will Christian scored with 2:19 left in the second to take a 2-1 lead.
Sherwood Park tied it up in the third, but Jacob Goudreau put the dragons back on top midway through the period. With 2:06 left, the Crusaders tied up to force overtime. Sherwood Park scored at 4:24 of the extra time to win.
The Dragons regrouped Saturday, January 4, when they faced the Drayton Valley Thunder. Ty Whitford opened the scoring, but the Thunder tied it up less than two minutes later. Caleb Willms put the Dragons up 2-1 after one period.
Goudreau opened the scoring, but the Thunder came back with two goals to end the second period tied at 3.
The third period was all Dragons as Coy Pihgin got the go-ahead goal, and Willms completed a hattrick with an unassisted goal at the midway point, and an empty-netter with 29 seconds to go. The Dragons win 6-3.
The Dragons are heading down the homestretch of the season, and have only four more home games to go. On Tuesday, February 7, they were in Camrose to take on the Kodiaks and return there on Saturday, February 11.

Dragon Pighin commits to Colorado College

Pighin Commits

Playing in the AJHL as a 16-year-old is special as is, but when you are producing at a rate like Coy Pighin currently is, NCAA teams begin to take notice.
On January 25th, Dragons rookie forward Coy Pighin announced his commitment to play Division I hockey at Colorado College.
Pighin, the native of Alix, stated that he has always been very interested in Colorado College as a potential landing spot. After going for a fly down to Colorado Springs to visit the school and campus, he said it was a perfect fit for his future.
“The facility and passion that comes from the college is outstanding. Playing in a competitive conference also played a big part in my decision,” he said.
Pighin has been one of the league’s top point-producing rookies in his first AJHL season, as he currently sits second among all 2006-born players in points per game average for qualified players. The forward has registered eight goals and 20 points in just 27 games this season. Aside from his offensive upside, Coy is also praised for his two-way ability and the defensive side of his game. He is a player that can be trusted in all situations, and he recognizes his time with the Drumheller Dragons as a large contributor to that.
“The coaching staff has enhanced my game and developed me in the right direction to play Division I hockey. The support that comes from the Dragons is unbelievable, and it has really helped grow me as an individual,” he said.
“To play Division I hockey has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help from my friends and family supporting me throughout my path.”
Prior to playing in the Dragons organization, Coy was a member of the Yale Hockey Academy where he also won Most Valuable Player of the 2021 Mac’s Midget Tournament. He joins elite company as prior tournament winners include notable NHLer’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mikael Backlund, and Zach Parise to name a few.


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