Saints lose 5-2 to Dragons
In the first of back to back home games, the Saints were unable to get off to the start that they wanted as Drumheller came out flying. They would jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first period and would continue on to beat the Saints 5-2, handing them back to back losses for the first time this season. One lineup change as Reid Schaeffer would return from Seattle and come into the lineup for Adam Hall. Matt Davis and Brett Balas would each get the start in net.
First Period
The first 20 minutes of play saw the Saints struggle to get to their game against Drumheller. The Dragons came out very strong with a quick first shift and they set the tempo of this game. The Saints did outshoot the Dragons 9-8 in the period, but that is pretty underwhelming considering they had 4 Powerplays compared to Drumheller?s 1.
The Saints were given several opportunities to be ahead in this game, but they couldn?t get anything going on the Powerplay and struggled at even strength. Drumheller would open the scoring shorthanded as Kasey Hiemstra would beat Matt Davis on the breakaway as the Saints give up a shorty on their 4th Powerplay chance. The Dragons would get on the board again late in the period as Carter Belitski would jam the puck in out front to extend the Dragons lead to 2-0.
That would be how the period would end as Drumheller will hold a 2-goal lead over the Saints after 20 minutes of play.
Second Period
Things looked like they were getting better for a little while. Ryan Peckford would get the Saints on the board at the 8-minute mark of the period with a shot from below the circle, cutting the lead in half. However, that wouldn?t last very long as Drumheller would respond right away.
Just a minute later, a quick strike transition for Drumheller resulted in a 2 on 1 situation. Roc Truman would put a low shot on net and his brother Scout Truman would bury the rebound as the Dragons come right back.
Their Powerplay woes continued in this middle frame, they would get a 4-minute man advantage for the last 4 minutes of the period, but they could not generate anything. Drumheller?s penalty killers did a great job of keeping the Saints to the outside and not allowing any high danger shots. All the Saints could create were perimeter passes and shots from the point.
The Saints will have one more period to try and turn this game around. The shots were 21-21 after 40 minutes as the Dragons once again hold a two-goal lead heading into the third.
Third Period
Drumheller would add to their lead halfway through the third as Derrick Budz would bang home the rebound as the Dragons score on the Powerplay. The Saints tried to make a push in the third period, they outshot the Dragons 10-5 in the final 20 minutes, and they pulled Matt Davis with 4 minutes to go.
They managed to get one, as Ethan Edwards? point shot would hit a Drumheller stick and find its way through. They pushed for another one but Drumheller would add an empty netter to take this game by a final score of 5-2.
It was an off night all around for the Saints as Drumheller outplayed them everywhere. Drumheller is a very fast team, they move the puck quick and the Saints didn?t match their pace and execution in this game. Their transition game really struggled and they the majority of their shots and chances in the offensive zone came from the perimeter. Drumheller was jumping from the first puck drop and they were the much more ready team in this game.
The Saint will look to put this one behind them quickly as they are right back at it in less than 24 hours. They will need to find their A game as they welcome the 22-0-0 Brooks Bandits to town. Puck drop is 7:00pm tomorrow night as the Saints look to snap the Bandits winning streak here on home ice.