PHOTO – Jeremy Margeson had a goal and an assist last night to lead the Eagles to a 4-1 road victory in Drumheller. (Julie Wilson photo)
The Canmore Eagles erupted for three unanswered third period goals to register a gritty 4-1 victory over the Drumheller Dragons on Friday night in an Alberta Junior Hockey League game played in Drumheller before 755 Dragon fans.
It was the Eagle’s first road victory in Drumheller this season and the two points earned in the AJHL Southern Division standings moves the team back into fourth-place with 65 points, one point ahead of the Camrose Kodiaks, who dropped a 4-1 decision to the Brooks Bandits on Friday night. Canmore has three games remaining on their regular season schedule, while the Kodiaks have four games remaining.
The Eagles received goals from Joe Serpico (16th), Jeremy Margeson (12th), Jordan Revie (19th) and Connor Wilson (12th), while rookie netminder Ryan Ferguson stopped 22 of 23 Dragon shots to register the win and improve his overall record to 23-12-2. The 23 victories ties Ferguson with ex-Eagle goaltending great Sam Brittain (2009-10) for most wins by an Eagle rookie goaltender.
“After our performance at home last Monday afternoon (a 5-2 home loss to the Calgary Canucks), I was very pleased with the effort and determination that the boys played with tonight,” said Eagle’s Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne. “This is a tough barn to play in as they play a very physical game, but we hung together and put in a very solid 60-minute game. We received goals from four separate players, did an excellent job on the penalty kill and Ferguson was there for us when we needed a big save. That’s the kind of game we need to play if we are to be successful in the upcoming playoffs.”
The Eagles will wrap up their weekend road trip on Saturday night with a game in Brooks against the first-place Bandits. The Bandits (36-13-8) are 21-6-2 on home ice and have already clinched first-place in the Southern Division and will receive a bye in the first-round of the upcoming playoffs.
NOTEBOOK: Eagle defenceman Trey Phillips, who has been nominated for the AJHL’s “Most Valuable Player” and “Top Defenceman” awards, picked up an assist last night and now has 60 points on the season. Phillips becomes just the 5th d-man in the AJHL to reach that plateau since the 2006-07 season. . . Eagle forward Connor Wilson had a two point night last night (one goal & an assist) and leads the entire AJHL with 42 assists. . . Eagle forward Brett Radford took a vicious hit to the back of his head last night and stayed down on the ice for about 12 minutes before being taken off on a stretcher. Initial reports indicate that he will be OK. . . If you’re looking for a great place to watch Sunday’s Gold Medal Olympic hockey game between Canada and Sweden, Canmore’s Boston Pizza will be opening at 4:45 am and has received AGLC approval to serve beer at 5 am.
THE RACE FOR FOURTH-PLACE – REMAINING GAMES
CANMORE EAGLES (31-23-3) – 65 Points – 3 Games Remaining
AWAY (2) – Brooks (Feb. 22), Calgary Mustangs (Feb. 25)
HOME (1) Brooks (Feb. 28)
CAMROSE KODIAKS – (27-19-10) – 64 Points – 4 Games Remaining
AWAY (2) – Lloydminster (Feb. 26), Drumheller (Mar. 1)
HOME (2) – Calgary Canucks (Feb. 23), Olds (Feb. 28)