PHOTO: Lane Olson had his first career AJHL hat trick last night but the Eagles still lost 7-6 in overtime to the Drumheller Dragons
NEXT GAME – Friday, Dec. 11 – Canmore at Calgary Canucks
NEXT HOME GAME – Saturday, Dec. 12 – Olds Grizzlys at Canmore – 8 PM
Lane Olson had a three-goal night, but it wasn’t enough as the Canmore Eagles dropped a 7-6 overtime decision to the Drumheller Dragons in Alberta Junior Hockey League action played Tuesday night before 475 fans at Banff’s Fenlands Arena.
The OT loss drops the Eagles regular season record to 16-12-3, while the Dragons improved to 12-18-3.
Braden Saretsky also had a pair of goals (9 and 10th), while Nicholas Wihak (3rd) rounded out the scoring for Canmore. Wihak also had a pair of assists for a three-point night.
Canmore goaltender Ryan Bontorin stopped 41 of 48 Drumheller shots and saw his overall record drop to 8-7-2. The Dragons outshot the Eagles 48-40 on the night.
“Tonight's game was chalk full of entertainment for the fan but not so much for the coaches,” said Eagles Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne, whose club has just one win in their last seven outings. “We played great at times with good speed and pressure, but we were also very sloppy at times with poor communication and commitment. I thought Drumheller was a little lucky with some of their goals and there were a few goals that Ryan (Bontorin) would probably want back.
“We’re in a little bit of a funk right now and we are going to have to find it internally as individuals to get better going forward.”
NOTEBOOK: The Team Canada West selection wrapped up on Tuesday in Leduc and unfortunately Eagle players Matt Forchuk and Logan Ferguson did not make the final cut. Forchuk, after playing two scrimmage games at the camp on Tuesday, raced back to Canmore and made it back just in time to get into the lineup during the first period of last night’s game against Drumheller. Ferguson is expected back in Canmore today. “I’m very surprised that they did not make it, but we are certainly glad to have them back in our lineup going forward,” said Eagles Head Coach Andrew Milne. “They had 60 players in camp and only 22 made it, so the competition was very stiff.” . . . Saturday’s home game against the Olds Grizzlys will start at 8 PM. . . .Fans who bring a Christmas gift with them to Saturday’s game will receive free admission to the game. . . Thanks very much to everyone at Banff’s Fenlands Arena for hosting our game last night. For the second year in a row, virtually every seat was full!