The Bantam Titans left it all on the field as they battled to a close finish versus Lindsay Thurber of Red Deer on Saturday.
    The Bantam’s season wrapped up on their home field in the first round of playoffs, and in the end they fell 24-22.
    “The close ones are a little harder to take,” said Coach Paul Redmond. “We were down 14-0 and we came back. We had a couple chances at the end to win it, but  we had a couple mistakes.”
    Coach Redmond was impressed with the advances the team has made this season.
    “Defensively we have been strong. Titans always pride themselves on tough defense,” he said.  “At time, the offense was moving the ball pretty good, but a penalty or a mistake bogged down the drives.”
    This playoff loss ends the season for the Bantam Titans. Coach Redmond says the program is moving in the proper direction. They finished their season with a  3-2 record including exhibition.
   “We  are competing at Tier 3 and Tier 2 now and doing well,” he said.
     The team’s renewed strength comes from the development program of Drumheller Football.
 “The peewee program is getting these kids geared up,” he said. “We don’t have to start at square one, so that is helping us compete at this level.”
  We are beginning to gain a little respect in the league.”

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.