Your Drumheller Dragons wrapped up their two game road trip to Northeastern Alberta with a stop in Lloydminster on Saturday night.
Although the two teams are in different divisions, it always seems to be a heated affair between the two squads. It is also a family affair with the brother of Dragons captain Tate Yule, Wyatt Yule, being a member of the Bobcats. It was Family appreciation night and I thought maybe that Tate would join his brother and their family when Wyatt was announced, but that would not be the case.
There was a small delay to the start of the game as during warm-ups, a Dragons player fired a puck towards the net, missing high and shattering the glass behind the goal. Crews at the Centennial Civic Centre were very quick to replace the glass and the game got underway. The Bobcats came out ready and would score first with Kael Screpnek scoring only 3:23 into the game. Then with 6:53 left in the first, Screpnek would score his second goal of the game, giving Lloydminster the 2-0 lead. Only 1:23 later, the Bobcats would extend their lead to 3-0 with a goal by Kaiden Wiltse. Unfortunately, there would be a collision between Tate Yule from our Dragons and Matthew Hikida. The officials determined that Yule checked Hikida from behind and doled out a five minute major penalty. That would end Tate’s night. During the penalty kill, the Bobcats would take a holding call to make it 4 on 4. Drumheller would score on the 4 on 4, with affiliate player Reily Pickford scoring his first goal as a Dragon with 2:03 left, assisted by Ellis Mieyette, to make it 3-1 and that would be how the first period would finish.
In the second, Drumheller would get closer with Devon Winder scoring his fifth of the year, from Louis Nadeau, at 7:43, making it 3-2 Lloydminster. The Bobcats would regain their two goal lead just over a minute later with a goal by Jack Birch on the power play, making it 4-2. Lloydminster would take the two goal lead into the third period.
Drumheller would not give up and late in the period, Ayden Peters would score his ninth of the season, from Reily Pickford and Luca Dufor, making it 4-3 Bobcats. Then, with 6:07 left, Bobcats defender Jamie Weller would score, giving his team the 5-3 lead. Drumheller would get a couple of power play chances late in the period and with goaltender Sean Cootes pulled, Bradley Gallo would score his league leading 17th of the year, from Ellis Mieyette on the man advantage giving the Dragons hope, only down 5-4. Drumheller could not score the equalizer and with time expiring Dragons forward would finish his check along the boards. The Bobcats thought the hit was after the final buzzer and took exception. Quite a bit of conversation along the red line as the Dragons were leaving the ice. The Bobcats would end up throwing one of the Dragons gloves over the glass to the fans. It sets up for an interesting rematch later this season when the Dragons meet the Bobcats twice, once in Drum, once in Lloyd.
Shots on goal
Drumheller – 27
Lloydminster – 26
Power Play
Drumheller – 2/7
Lloydminster – 1/5
3 Stars
- Cooper Moore LLD (2 assists)
- Reily Pickford DRM (1G, 1A)
- Ellis Mieyette DRM (2 A)
The Dragons are now back at home for one after being on the road for three weeks. Saturday night the Canmore Eagles will pay their first of three visits to the Memorial Arena. It is Tennis Ball Toss night where those who participate and donate to the Salvation Army through putting funds in their tennis ball, will have a chance to win a game worn Dragons jersey. Game time on Saturday night is at 7 PM.
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