A 5-3 loss to the Drumheller Dragons Friday night has the Okotoks Oilers 1-1 at their fourth annual pre-season tournament.

The Dragons scored three times on five shots in the first period and it was tough for the young Oilers squad who did make it close trailing 4-3 with just four minutes left in the third but couldn't complete the comeback.

Defenceman Carson Beers says for his first game back in the Oilers line-up since March there's plenty to improve on.

"Thought we could have been better the first," he says. "We didn't come out with a lot of energy, it looked like we were scared to throw body it looked like, hopefully we do better tomorrow (Saturday) vs Brooks we all know the rivalry there."

The Taber, Alta native is like most hockey fans in Okotoks and happy to be back at Pason Centennial Arena but knows he's got a lot of work to do heading into second season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

"Felt rusty that's for sure," he says. "I was struggling to get pucks through but, just mentally got to get better than that, besides that I thought I skated well, it was fun playing with Hirka (Ed) and getting to know him a little bit on the ice and how he plays."

Beers says it's quite the role reversal for him after battling for a spot last season, he's now one of the veterans in the locker room. He knows what it's like to be in one's first junior training camp and is ready to help out Oiler prospects.

"It's a little different that's for sure but it's just really just here trying to get to know everybody, you don't really say you're a vet, everybody is equal on the team and hope everybody contributes."

The Oilers wrap-up their pre-season tournament Saturday night against the Brooks Bandits at 6 p.m. at Pason Centennial Arena.

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