DRUMHELLER – The Canmore Eagles and Drumheller Dragons are all tied up in their best-of-seven series.
The clashing Junior A hockey clubs split games one and two in Drumheller with the Eagles winning 4-3 on Friday (March 10) and the Dragons taking Saturday’s (March 11) match-up, 5-1.
The first round series now heads to the mountains for games three and four in Canmore Tuesday and Wednesday (March 14-15). Puck drop is 7 p.m. for both games.
“You would like to take two [wins], but I think at the end of the day, a split is the goal when you have a playoff series going seven games and we bring it back to our building," said Andrew Milne, Eagles head coach and general manager.
Eagles scorers in game one were Eagles’ Kyle Young with a goal and assist, Reed Jacobson had two helpers, and with one goal each were Rhett Dekowny, Vincent Scott, and Brody Mortensen.
Canmore’s lone scorer in game two was Jacobson. Young and Kayden Smith assisted on the first period goal.
As the series shifts to Canmore, Milne said he'd like to see the intensity picked up.
“I think we have to win a few more battles,” said Milne. “I think we got caught standing and watching them bring it to us at times and I think after [Friday’s game] they amped up their game tonight. They brought another level and we didn’t raise that level so I think we’ll have to be prepared for that.”
Eagles netminder Andreai Proctor-Ramirez started in both playoff games. In the series, the 21-year-old from Paradise Hill has a .884 save percentage, kicking aside 61 of 69 shots.
For game three, Milne said the 2022 all-star be in net.
“One thing you know about him is he’s a competitor, he’s a warrior, [and] he wants to play every minute of every game,” said Milne. “As long as he’s healthy, he’s going to be in the net.”
Game five is Friday (March 17) in Drumheller. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
