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And they'rrrre off
Tue, Aug 31 2010
They're back!! The 2010-11 version of the Dragons took the ice at the Arena last night in their first exhibition action of the new season against the visiting Olds Grizzlies. 363 fans in attendance saw a pretty good hockey game, with the Grizzlies nipping the Dragons 5-4.
Both teams had most of their regulars from last season on the sidelines as the coaching staffs' gave promising recruits plenty of ice-time in various situations to better analyze their strengths and weaknesses as the difficult decision on final roster spots gets down to crunch time with the regular season fast approaching.
Nick Bourgeois led the Grizzlies with 2 goals (the 2nd short-handed). Newcomer Jordan Kanscal also tallied twice for the visitors. Curtis Matkin led the Dragons with one goal and an assist.
Olds carried much of the play in the final stages of period one, but the Dragons got a late marker at 19.09 from Logan Maddin to take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Sam Lawson made a nice rush down the right wing to set up the goal, controlling the puck before sliding a nifty pass into the slot, where Maddin crashed into the tough ice to tap in the opening goal. I thought probably the Dragons were fortunate to have the lead after 1, being outshot 16-9, and spending extended periods of time bottled up in their own end. Andy Williams was solid in goal to hold off the Grizzlies.
Just 56 seconds into the 2nd period, Bourgeois corraled a loose puck at center ice and broke down the left wing, firing a shot past Williams to tie it very quickly and give the Grizz some early momentum. Carter Jensen restored the Dragons lead at 5.12, taking a pass from Curtis Matkin, breaking down leftwing and ripping a rising snap-shot over the glove hand of the Olds goaltender. The period went back and forth until the 12.00 minute mark, when an unfortunate bounce at the Olds blueline gave Bourgeois a shorthanded breakaway, and he made no mistake, dekeing Garrett Beckwith and sliding it 5-hole to tie the game at 2. Beckwith had just come in to replace Williams, and his first shot is the breakway! On a subsequent power-play, the Dragons answered back, some good work by Landon Heibert and Chris Hale setting up trigger man Curtis Matkin's blast from the point on the powerplay to once again give the Dragons a one-goal cushion going into intermission. Good 2nd period by the orange and black, scoring twice and outshooting Olds 13-10.
I thought the Dragons came out a little flat in the 3rd period, and the Grizzlies responded with constant pressure, which resulted in 3 straight goals in a 10-minute span to stake the visitors to a 5-3 lead. Jordan Kanscal tallied twice with Evan Thompson adding the other. The Dragons kept battling, and their tenacious play was rewarded at 17.24 when home-town boy Josh Kluck buried a shot from in close to pull the Dragons within one. A last flurry came up just short, and the final was 5-4 Grizzlies. Olds outshot Drumheller 40-30 in the wide-open affair.
Game notes.....both teams had mostly rookies in the line-up, and from the game I'd say the coaches have several very difficult decisions to make on the futures of some promising young players....really liked the play of #37 Curtis Matkin. Overall I thought he looked like a veteran much more than a rookie....Andy Williams was solid in his 32-minute, 21 save stint in goal. Looked sharp too, in his new black and orange pads and gloves!!...Josh Kluck does not look like a 16-year-old rookie out there. Savvy young player....Jason Kenney was a whirling dervish every shift....Kyle Knelsen was one of few veterans on the ice last night, and it showed. Calmer. More patient. He made his presence felt most shifts, was especially good at waiting to make that good pass to a teammate....Sam Lawson also impressed me. It looks to me like Sam could have an outstanding season. He was dominant in camp, and showed speed and creativity with the puck last night....All in all, I think a good start for this young team. Now a few days of hard practice, then to Camrose Friday night for a match with the Kodiaks, front end of a home-and-home. Saturday the 2 teams play here. 7.30 game time.
Come out and have a look Saturday. Exciting things ahead for the 2010-11 Drumheller Dragons.