The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Still undefeated
Dragon Sheet Metal continues to hold a firm grasp on first place in town league hockey with a 6-1 win over Peak Consulting Thursday night, bringing their record to 5-0. They lead the league, averaging more than four goals per game, while giving up just three goals total over the first five games.
Peak Consulting, on the other hand, is going through a rough stretch. After winning their first two games of the season, and their first two games as a franchise, they’ve lost the last three in a row to drop to seventh place in the standings.
Dragon Sheet scored 12 seconds into the game, winning the opening face-off and pushing into Peak’s zone immediately. Peak looked to clear the puck but Isaac Long skated in off the blue line to pick off the pass and score.
Dragon continued to press but Peak goalie Brad Bodell had their number early to deny several shots in close. Peak skater Mikey Hillam looked to spark his team with a number of end-to-end solo runs but his efforts proved fruitless as the rest of his team struggled to push forward and join in on the attack.
Nevertheless, Hillam’s work was not all for naught, as Peak gained momentum each time they managed to push the puck up-ice to relieve the pressure in front of their net.
Peak tied the game 1-1 five minutes into the first period when Tim Poppe scored off an assist from Betty Gurk, and things were looking up for the struggling squad.
But Dragon turned it up another notch, pinning Peak in front of their net for extended stretches and firing shots.
The constant pressure ultimately paid off as Rachael Miller took a pass on the wing and fired a shot on net. Bodell made the initial save but the puck trickled loose and Doug Duryea followed to stuff it home.
Bodell held off the Dragon attack at the end of the first period, including an incredible glove save to rob Pete Cook of the upper corner as Dragon carried a slim 2-1 lead into the second period.
Dragon took complete control of the game in the second period with precision passing and cohesive attacks, while Peak scrambled to pick up open men and block shots.
Scott Fulkerson put Dragon up 3-1, scoring off an assist from Will Dujardin. One minute later Duryea, ever the opportunist, netted his second goal of the game with a perfect tip off a shot from Long.
Dragon Sheet Metal scored in the opening minutes of the third period during a frantic scramble in front of Peak’s net. Bodell stopped the initial shot, the puck dropped, sticks started swinging, Dave Daumit made one save with his stick but John Collins was there to punch it home for a 5-1 Dragon lead.
Peak Consulting maintained their hustle despite the score and put together a handful of one-man and team attacks, but the damage was done and Dragon Sheet finished the game with one last strike when Jan Blewett poked the puck past Bodell in the final minute for the 6-1 Dragon Sheet Metal win.
