The Drumheller Dragons have hung up their skates on their playoff series and their season after a difficult final game against the Brooks Bandits.
On Friday, March 22, the Dragons headed to Brooks for game five of their second round playoff series against the Bandits after staving off defeat several nights before with a huge game four win at home. In game four the Dragons were firing all cylinders, but the Bandits came out in full force for game five, winning decisively 7-0.
The Bandits let loose their onslaught early. By the end of the first period, the score was 5-0 for the Bandits and they added two more by the end of the second. The Dragons and were able to generate a few scoring opportunities, but couldn’t get past the solid goaltending of Bandits goalie Michael Frederick. The Dragons kept the Bandits scoreless in the third period, but couldn’t make any offensive headway.
The loss means the Dragons’ season is now over.
Overall, it was a huge year for the Dragons. The team rose from a lacklustre 2011-12 season, where the team barely squeaked into the playoffs, to a being strong contender throughout the 2012-13 season under the leadership of head coach and general manager Brian Curran, who joined the team in March 2012.
The season started out slow, but by November, the Dragons were establishing themselves as a team to watch and went on a huge eight game winning streak. At the end of the regular season, they earned a definitive fourth place finish in the AJHL southern division (insert wins, losses, points).
The Dragons went on to sweep a hard fought series against the Canmore Eagles in the first round of the AJHL playoffs and in their series against the Bandits, won game four, their first win against Canada’s top Junior A team all season.
Several of the Dragons were also recognized by the league this year. Ryan Bloom, Mitchell Gartner, and Harrison Hendrix were each named Players of the Week. Captain Brennan Baxandall was nominated for league MVP and Gartner for the top defenceman of the year.
Sadly, Drumheller will be saying goodbye a few Dragons this year. Baxandall, who has played his entire Junior A career with the Dragons, Ryan Aasman, Brad Deagle, Gartner Harrison Hendrix, Brodie Jamieson, and Bryton Mills turned 20-years-old this season and therefore are no longer eligible to play at the Junior level.
However, despite the loss, there are quite a few Dragons left who have a bright junior career ahead of them.
Look out for the Dragons to come back next fall, ready for another great season of Junior A hockey action.