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Raptors fall in triple overtime heartbreaker

It was as close as it could possibly get as the Kneehill Chiefs and the Drumheller Raptors U18 battled it out for the league championship over the weekend.
The Drumheller React/ DT Fire Protection Raptors hosted game one of the two-game total points series at the Drumheller Memorial Arena on Friday, March 8. Hundreds came out to cheer on the Raptors as they jumped out to a a 1-0 lead in the first period. The Chiefs settled into their game and pushed hard in the second period, going up 3-1. Drumheller clawed back but couldn’t close the gap, falling 4-3. Gavin Olsen, Kerric Chambers and Ryder Hems tallied the goals for the Raptors.
This put the Raptors at a one-goal deficit going into Game 2 in Trochu on Sunday afternoon.
The Raptors went up by a goal again in the first period, but by the end of the third it was tied at three. The Raptors played hard and at the end of regulation time, were up 4-3. This means the two teams were tied at seven goals apiece. Chambers had two goals, and Kayden Bitz and Kegan Regis each contributed one.
Overtime ensues, in fact, triple overtime.
“We technically won 4-3 and tied it up for overtime,” said coach Stephen Fournier. “We had a couple of powerplays in overtime, they had a couple of powerplays, and we killed them off.”
In the third overtime, the Raptors got a penalty a minute and a half in and killed it off.
“As soon as we killed it off, it was just a flutter-puck they threw in at the net from the blue line, and it deflected off of one of our guys and caught our goalie coming the other way.”
This ends a very successful season for the U18 Raptors. They were defending champions going into the season. This result was as close as a game could possibly get.
“The kids played awesome there was nothing else you could ask for. They left everything on the ice,” said Fournier. “Kneehill was a great team, and to take them to triple overtime, especially in their barn, down a goal to start with. It’s a feat of its own.”
He is also grateful for the community support of the Raptors on their playoff drive. He also sees the growth of the Drumheller Minor Hockey program.
“Kids are wanting it more, we are getting the outside coaching, and it is helping a lot. It is getting nice to have hockey coming back in Drumheller like it was when I played.”

Dragons split shootout finishes

The Dragons earned three out of a possible six points last week, with two games going all the way to shootouts.
The Dragons were on home ice on Tuesday, January 9 to take on the Camrose Kodiaks.
The Dragons struck first as new arrival Holden Cardinal scored on the powerplay 15:29 into the first period. The Kodaks however evened it up after one, and then went ahead in the second period. Jacob Goudreau scored with seven and a half minutes left in regular time to tie the game. After a scoreless overtime, the game went to a shootout, where Connor Poffenroth secured a win.
On Thursday, January 11 the Dragons were in Camrose to return the favour and went up by two goals by the midpoint of the first period. Coy Pighin put the Dragons on the scoreboard by the end of the first period. The Kodiaks scored just 36 seconds into the second period, but Poffenroth made it 3-2 by the end of the second. Goudreau scored the tying goal forcing overtime. Once again the game went to a shootout. It took seven shooters before the game was decided in favour of the Kodiaks.
On Saturday, January 13, 660 fans braved the cold to weather the Dragons take on the Blackfalds Bulldogs. This time the Dragons opened the scoring with Goudreau scoring less than two minutes into the game. The Bulldogs tied it up by the end of the period. The Dragons struck first again in the second as Ayden Peters found the net. Unfortunately the Bulldogs dropped two more in the second taking a 3-2 lead.
They opened the lead further just 34 seconds into the third period on the powerplay. The Dragons continued to pressure, and Austin Reschny scored his third of the season. To make it 4-3. That was as close as they could get as the Bulldogs snatched the win.
The Dragons are in luck this week with a three-game home stand. On Tuesday, January 16, the Dragons hosted the Grande Prairie Storm, results were not available at press time. Saturday, January 20 the Whitecourt Wolverines come to town, and on Sunday, January 21, the Drayton Valley Thunder visit for a matinee.

Raptors battle through season

Drumheller Minor Hockey is having a great season with some competitive teams in the mix, with lots of learning and successes on the ice.
There is Raptor hockey in the valley from Junior Tykes all the way up to U18. There are 10 teams on the ice representing the valley and improving their skills.
The U11 Wiart Dirtworks Raptors had a strong tiering schedule and landed in Tier 1(B). So far in their regular season, they are sporting a 2-4-1 record with wins over Medicine Hat and Airdrie. Westyn Jensen is leading the way with 11 points off five goals and six assists, Jared Nagy has six goals and Blake Wiart has five.
The U11 T5G Ramada Raptors are also playing solid hockey, having earned a win over Foothills and tied High Country, and have a competitive schedule ahead. Gavin Conley and Kyler Green both have 13 goals and three assists for 16 points, while Liam Keller has a balanced game of six goals and six assists.
The U13 T2Y Home-Town Realty Raptors are playing .500 hockey with a strong 4-4 record, balanced with wins on the road and at home. They notched important wins versus Stettler, Hanna and 3Cs (Castor, Coronation, Consort). Levi Merrill leads the teams with 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points. Sam Boyko and Aiden Sharpe each have 13 goals.
The U13 T5G Canalta Raptors are in a competitive league and have a 2-7 record with wins over 3Cs and Redcliff. Finn Mills has racked up 14 points, Lewis Leavitt has 11, and Parker McLellan has 10.
The U15 T3S Raptors are also seeing some tough teams and have a 2-5 record. They have a balanced attack, with Spencer Holman racking up five goals and five assists for 10 points. Ryder Hems has nine points on five goals and four assists, and Nikolas Hewitt and Abram Sharpe, with seven points.
At the top level, the U18 T3G React/ DT Fire Raptors are sporting a winning 5-3 record and are undefeated on home ice. They have topped Kneehill, RMAA (Rocky Mountain Athletic Association, Carstairs), Red Deer and Airdrie. Kegan Regis is leading the team with 18 points from six goals and 10 assists, and Owen Phoenix has six goals and 10 assists. Kerrick Chambers leads the scoring with 11 goals.
The Raptors will be back on the ice this coming week to finish out their season.

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