Bisons on top of AMHL
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
The UFA Bisons have climbed to the top of the Alberta Midget Hockey League with a pair of impressive road wins over the Halloween weekend.
The Bisons defeated the United Cycle Maple Leafs 10-6 on Oct. 30, before defeating the SSAC Athletics 5-2 the following day.
With the wins, the local triple-A midget team improved to 6-0-4 on the season, and in sole possession of first place in the league.
That, along with being the only undefeated team left in the league, has put a huge bull’s-eye on the Bisons.
“There is no question when you are the team that has an (undefeated) record, (other teams) want to take that title away,” said Bisons head coach Parry Shockey. “Right now, that’s what we’re focusing on with our guys is making sure they understand that. Everybody is waiting to take a shot at us and we have to answer the bell.”
The trip to Edmonton also marked the first time that the Bisons have swept a pair of weekend games. In the prior four weekends, the team collected a win and a draw – taking three of a possible four points. This past weekend, they finally made it four for four.
On Saturday night, Torrin White had the hat-trick and an assist, while Samuel McKechnie added two goals and two assists in the romp over the Maple Leafs. Luke Philp added five assists, while Sam Johnson had two goals and an assist. Connor Chartier, Tyson Valette and Simon Philp also lit the lamp for the Bisons.
Kirby Ruzesky scored twice and McKechnie added a goal and two assists to lead the Bisons over the Athletics on Oct. 31.
Simon Philp and Joshua Betinol each had a goal and an assist, while Devon Fordyce made 35 saves in the win.
“It was a huge weekend for us,” said Shockey. “I thought we made some real significant strides in some areas. We see the maturing of our hockey team coming around – hopefully that continues.”
Through 10 games, the Bisons are also the league’s top-scoring team, registering 55 goals for.
According to the coach, the players are given the freedom to do what they do best.
“I think it goes back to that fact that we let our guys play,” said Shockey. “I mean, we let skilled guys do their thing. We don’t restrict them – we’ve built a foundation of what we have to work around and those guys understand that.
“If you put skilled guys with time and space, they’re going to drill it home.”
The Bisons will now return to the friendly confines of the Strathmore Family Centre for a four game home stand, starting this weekend.
The team will host the Red Deer Rebels on Nov. 6 (5:30 p.m.), before tangling with the St. Albert Raiders the following day at 2 p.m.