The Canmore Eagles opened up the Alberta Junior Hockey League season with their second win in as many games.
Five different players scored for the Eagles as they defeated the Drumheller Dragons 5-3 before 336 fans at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
Canmore looked to carry on the game plan that led them to a 6-0 victory over the Calgary Mustangs on Friday night, racing out to a 4-0 first-period lead on Saturday. However, the Dragons had plenty of fire in their belly as the game wore on.
Braden Saretsky opened the scoring just 1:46 into the contest. He also scored the opening goal in Fridays victory.
Also scoring in the period were Matt Forchuk and Logan Ferguson, each their third goals of this young season, and Adam Tisdale, his first of the campaign which came on the power play between Forchuk’s and Ferguson’s goals.
Drumheller would make it 4-3 with less than seven minutes to play in the game. Evan Tschumi, with a second-period, power-play goal, was followed in the third period by Jordan Taupert, also on the power play, and Brett Campbell.
Colby Livingstone would give the Eagles some breathing room with a goal at 16:53 of the third period.
“I thought we had a good start and then got a little sloppy in the second and third,” said Andrew Milne, Eagles GM and head coach. “I would like to see our guys close a little bit better.”
Canmore outshot Drumheller 36-35, but the Dragons outshot the Eagles 18-10 in the third period.
Eagles goaltender Ryan Bontorin, who has been in goal for both games, had his season-beginning shutout streak ended at 18:22 of the second period.
Canmore now heads out on the road, with five games over eight days that begins Friday in Fort MacMurray against the Oil Barons, followed by games against the Spruce Grove Saints on Saturday and Sherwood Park Crusaders on Sunday, Sept. 25.
EAGLES NEST: The team played one-man under the roster limit as Nolan Kurylo was unable to go after taking stick under the eye in the first period on Friday night. Also missing on Saturday were Kyle Pauls (shoulder) and Cole Noble (sickness). … Forchuk has six points in two games (3G-3A). … Canmore heads to Camrose for the AJHL Showcase for games on Sept. 29-30 versus the Spruce Grove Saints and Drayton Valley Thunder, respectively.
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For more from Russ at the Crag and Canyon http://www.thecragandcanyon.ca/2016/09/18/eagles-nip-dragons-start-season-with-two-wins