Bisons impress during season opening weekend
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
The UFA Bisons opened the 2010 season by collecting three out of a possible four points against divisional rivals.
The local triple-A midget club tied the Red Deer Rebels 2-2 on the road Oct. 1, before defeating the Lethbridge Y’s Men Hurricanes 3-2 in their home-opener Oct. 3.
“I guess probably what you usually expect in the beginning of the season and that’s inconsistency,” described Bisons head coach Parry Shockey of the weekend. “We did some really good things in Red Deer – played really well at times and then had some breakdowns. We basically did the same thing (Sunday).
“It’s breaking old habits – we have a plan of how we want our guys to play and everyone is going to excel with what we’ve got set up.
“They have to buy in and they have to trust – there is no shortcuts in this game. If you cheat at (this) level, people are going to score on you.
“What we’re trying to do is cure those situations now.”
Before most of the crowd could even get to their seats on Friday night, the Bisons were trailing 1-0 just 27 second into the game. Red Deer took a 2-0 lead heading into the second period before the Bisons broke out for a pair of goals, 1:11 apart, midway through the third period to force the tie.
Mitch McAllister converted a feed from Mathew Flette and Connor Chartier, while Sam Johnson tallied from Luke Philp and Spencer Jensen.
“I thought we moved the puck really well,” said Shockey. “In the first period we were good and the second period, we kind of sagged a little bit. In the third we turned it up and that’s what kept us in the game.
“I thought we out-chanced them in a lot of situations.”
The Bisons also allowed the first goal of the game on Sunday. However, a shorthanded goal by Philp evened the score, before Lethbridge scored a shorthanded goal themselves. Kirby Ruzesky scored a goal late in the second frame to even the score at two.
With 5:16 left in the game, Philp scored his second goal of the game to earn the win.
“With the big ice out there, you have to move (the puck) around fast and quick,” said Philp. “I thought we did that well. It was good to get the nerves out and just play our game.”
Shockey echoed those thoughts.
“The guys were all jacked up for playing a home game,” said the coach. “Just because they’re jacked up, doesn’t mean our game plan changes. We’re happy with the game and we’re happy with our players.”
The Bisons will now prepare for a home-and-home against another divisional rival. The Herd traveled to Calgary to take on the Northstars on Oct. 6 (result not available as of press time) before returning to the confines of the Strathmore Family Centre on Oct. 10, 2 p.m. for the rubber match.