Bisons continue winning ways

Posted on: J A McRae

Mario Prusina
Times Editor
 
According to UFA Bisons goaltender George Merik, it’s never a good thing being between the pipes of a high-scoring, wide-open, pond-hockey style game.
However, if he’s put in that position, like he was this past weekend versus the Lloydminster Bobcats, it’s much better being the winning puck-stopper.
“Not too many goaltenders like to play in that high-scoring of a game, but I guess somebody had to do it,” laughed Merik, the following day after the Bisons 11-8 win over the Bobcats. “If it would have been 11-8 for them, I don’t know how happy of a camper I would have been on the way home.”
Lucky for him, because of some high-scoring firepower from the Bisons, he didn’t have to find out about that feeling.
Luke Philp scored the hat-trick and added two assists to lead the way for the Bisons, while Torrin White and Shayne Gwinner each added a goal and three assists.
Tyson Valette notched a pair of goals, while Samuel McKechnie added a goal and an assist. Connor Chartier, Jared Potter and Mitch McAllister rounded out the scoring for the Bisons, who improved to 4-0-4 on the season. 
On Oct. 23, the day prior to the Lloydminister showdown, the Bisons started off the road trip with a 3-3 tie versus the Boston Pizza Rangers.
Carson McCormick had a goal and an assist, while Sam Johnson and Torrin White rounded up the scoring for the Bisons.
It marked the fourth week in a row that the Bisons picked up a win and a tie, leaving them as the only undefeated team in the Alberta Midget Hockey League.
“It feels great – we have a great bunch of guys and I know everyone is enjoying the zero losses right now that’s for sure – especially the coaches,” said Merik.
However, like the rest of the team, the Bisons are sick and tired of leaving the extra point on the table and hope to win both weekend games.
“It’s okay if you battle back and you tie them (to earn the extra point), but we seem to be the one in the lead position and we (give) it up to them,” said the third year Bison. “That’s not a good way to lose a point. We have to find a way to buckle down that last 10 minutes of a third period and I think we’ll be alright.
The Bisons are now preparing for another two-game road trip this weekend, when they take on the United Cycle Maple Leafs Oct. 30 and the SSAC Athletics Oct. 31 in Edmonton.