What a difference a powerplay makes!
After going four games without a sniff with the man advantage, the Grande Prairie Storm powerplay finally wakened from its slumber, tallying twice on five opportunities in a 4-3 win over the Drumheller Dragons. The win came in the first of two games the Storm are playing in Spruce Grove this weekend, as part of AJHL Showcase Weekend.
Tyler Haiste and Sam Lawson had the powerplay markers. Combined with an even strength goal from Blake Bosch, the Storm were able to build up a 3-0 lead on former Grande Prairie goalie Curtis Skip and the Dragons.
Still, it was Tyson McCallum's goal, just over four minutes into the third period, which would end up being the winner, after Drumheller had rallied to tie the contest at 3-3. McCallum's winner helped make up for a penalty he had taken in the opening minute of the third, on which the Dragons scored a powerplay goal of their own.
Overall, the Storm were two for five with the man advantage, while the Dragons were just one seven. Both goalies were solid between the pipes, with Nick Kulmanovsky making 33 saves and Skip 37.
Storm now face the defending AJHL and Royal Bank Cup champion Brooks Bandits Saturday afternoon in their second and final match-up at Showcase. They then return home for a meeting with the Bonnyville Pontiacs on Thursday night.
– Story by Don Whiteford of www.PeaceCountrySports.com.
