The Dragons netted their first win of 2013 and it couldn’t have been any closer.
On Wednesday night, the Okotoks Oilers, the Dragons closest rivals in the standings, came to the Dragons den. The game had the potential to bring the Dragons within striking distance of overtaking the Oilers in the standings.
In a come-from-behind victory, settled only by the last shooter in a shootout, the Dragons came up with a 3-2 victory.
The Dragons took the upper hand on the scoreboard 11:33 into the first period. Colton Vanucci, fighting for the puck behind the Oilers net, managed to get it out front to a waiting Christopher Rauckman, who stuffed it in for the Dragons first goal of the night.
The hard earned lead only lasted just over a minute. The Oilers, with some tic-tac-toe, snuck a shot through the five-hole of the Dragons newest goalie, Etienne Roy. The Oilers followed up with their second goal with just a minute left in the first period.
Both teams battled back and forth in a scoreless second period. It wasn’t until 10 minutes into the third when the Dragons, fighting to tie the game, did so on a solo effort by Cavin Leth.
Neither team could get the upper hand before the end of the third and the game was forced into overtime. In the end, it was yet another shootout that decided the victor.
The Dragons previous two shootout attempts, which were against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on December 21 and January 2, ended in losses for the Dragons.
However this one proved to be in the Dragons favour. The Oilers were up first and could not break through Roy. Their following two attempts ended up scoreless.
The Dragons sent out Rauckman and then Brad Deagle, who both came up empty handed. Dakota Zaharichuk, the final shooter, stuffed the puck past Oilers goalie Jared D’Amico for the Dragons third goal and the win.
The win gives the Dragons 44 points on the season, only three behind the Oilers, who still earned a point from the loss.
The Dragons will be looking to build on the momentum this Saturday in Olds against the Grizzlys and on Monday on the road against the Calgary Mustangs.
The Dragons next home game is next Wednesday against the Mustangs.
Christopher Rauckman (centre) celebrates after scoring the Dragons first goal, and his seventh of the season, against the Okotoks Oilers on Wednesday night. The Dragons, joined by some new faces, defeated the Oilers 3-2 in a tense shootout. The Dragons head to Olds on Saturday to face the Grizzlys and have their next home game next Wednesday.