Bisons bounce back
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
It was a situation the UFA Bisons have never encountered this regular season – a loss.
In fact, it wasn’t just any loss either – it was a 9-2 beat down at the hands of the Red Deer Rebels Nov. 6 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
However, the Bisons showed everyone in the AMHL what they’re made of after beating the top team in the league, the St. Albert Raiders, 6-3 the following day.
“That was like coming back from a head-on collision,” said Bisons head coach Parry Shockey. “(Saturday’s) game was a disaster… we basically did everything we can do wrong in one game – which hopefully means we won’t have any growing pains for a while now.
“I think (this win) is huge. It says a lot about our hockey club, says a lot about our character. We’ve seen the maturity of 15-16-17 year-old boys this weekend.”
After falling 2-0 to the Raiders, Kirby Ruzesky scored a shorthanded goal late in the first period to cut the cut the deficit in half. The Bisons erupted for four goals in the second period, including another Ruzesky shorthanded marker that was the dagger.
“It’s always good when you can contribute and help the team win,” said Ruzesky, who also collected an assist in the win. “You just have to do whatever you can – defensively too – not just offensively. I thought I stepped it up today and showed what I can do.”
The Bisons dominated the third period – outshooting the Raiders 15-8 – and added another goal with 3:05 left to ice the game.
“As soon as we started the third period, I could see them fading,” said Shockey. “We were coming at them with four lines and we were doing a great job. We were physical. I thought we had a lot of guys that had really good games.
“The game is simple – and when we keep it simple and we execute – then we’re successful.”
Connor Chartier added a goal and two assists in the win, while Sam Johnson, Joshua Betinol and Matthew Flette each lit the lamp. Shayne Gwinner added two assists, while five other players chipped in with assists.
On Saturday night, Torrin White and Carson McCormick each scored once, while Chartier, Johnson Samuel McKechnie and Luke Philp each added an assist in the loss.
“Red Deer is a good hockey club and … if you snooze against any team in this league, you’re going to pay a price for it,” said Shockey. “We fell asleep and they got some momentum. We had some chances, but the hockey gods don’t reward you when you don’t work hard.”
The 7-1-4 Bisons will now play a pair of home games this coming weekend, when they host the Calgary Royals Nov. 12 (8 p.m.) and the Medicine Hat Tigers Nov. 14 (2 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.