The Drumheller Dragons were on the road this past weekend.
On Friday, November 9, the Dragons were in Spruce Grove to face the northern division first place team, the Saints. The Dragons had beat the Saints in a close overtime victory on October 26.
Unfortunately, the Dragons couldn’t repeat and were handed a 4-2 loss.
The game opened on relatively even terms. The Dragons took six shots on net, compared to the Saints seven. It wasn’t until the opening seconds of the second period, that the first goal of the game was scored.
The Saints were down a man after being called for tripping near the end of the first period. Colton Vanucci took advantage and scored while the Dragons were on a power play 23 seconds into the second period. Mitchell Gartner and goaltender Adam Beukeboom were credited for the assist.
However, the Saints came back and tied the game six minutes later. The two teams would remain deadlocked until the third period when the Saints took the upper hand and scored three unanswered goals within the first seven minutes of the period.
The Dragons fought back, but could only muster one more goal by Tyler Kerner from Cavin Leth with 11 minutes left.
The Dragons remained in the greater Edmonton area for their next game on Sunday against the Sherwood Park Crusaders. The Dragons reversed their fortunes, winning 4-1.
Adam Beukeboom was replaced in net by Christopher Wray. The Dragons haven’t yet settled on who will be their primary goalie for the remainder of the season.
The Dragons got on the scoreboard first with a power play goal from Tanner Kissick off of Ryan Bloom after the Crusaders were called for tripping. The Crusaders would retaliate with a goal of their own a few minutes later.
Tyler Kerner, off of Stephen Doane, scored the Dragons second goal of the night. From there, the Dragons followed up with two more goals in the third period from Dakota Zaharichuk, with help from Tyler Kerner, and another power play goal from Brodie Jamieson, with assistance from Ryan Bloom and Ryan Aasman.
Tempers were high between the two teams. Everything exploded with just over a minute left in the game, resulting in a brawl between Colton Vanucci and Crusaders Eric Liknes. Other players from both sides joined in. The Dragons were called for a team penalty for game misconduct, while Colton Vanucci and Mitchell Gartner were given separate game misconducts. A handful of roughing penalties were handed out.
The games give the Dragons an 8-12-1 record with 17 points. The Dragons are currently four points behind the Olds Grizzlys.
The Dragons return home this Friday and Saturday to face the Calgary Canucks and Grizzlys. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.
