On Saturday night the Olds Grizzlys fell to the Drumheller Dragons 5-1 that put a stop to the four game winning streak. The loss gives the Grizzlys on 0-4 record against the Dragons this season which has seen the Dragons score 5 goals in each of the games. With the win, Drumheller moves within 2 points of the Grizzlys with 3 games in hand.
The Dragons opened the scoring 2:37 into the game while on the powerplay (Jamieson from Gartner). Ten minutes later, Drumheller struck again to take a 2-0 lead on home ice (Rauckman from Deagle). The score would remain 2-0 heading into the first intermission. Olds would cut the lead in half 9:56 into the second with a highlight reel goal from Brandon Clowes. The Grizzlys leading scorer’s goal was assisted by Matthew Marcinew and Mitch Owsley. It was Clowes tenth goal in the past ten games. It did not take long for Drumheller to respond as Baxandall scored less than two minutes later, once again on the powerplay, with the assist going to Gartner.
The third period opened with the Grizzlys on the penalty kill and Drumheller took advantage (Gartner from Baxandall) to make the score 4-1. The remaining of the third period seen a steady parade of players to the penalty box for both teams. The Grizzlys could not maintain any momentum and with two minutes left in the game, the Dragons sealed the game (Doane from Kerner) to finish with the 5-1 wins.
The Grizzlys will have a quick turn around as they face the Calgary Canucks on Sunday for a 2pm Sunday afternoon matinee. The game will be crucial for Olds as with a win, they could leapfrog the Mustangs and Eagles and be tied with the Canucks in the South Division. Drumheller finished the game outshooting Olds 32-21. Blueliner Jordan Lajimodiere was Player of the Game for Olds.