Bisons sick of the split
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
Win one, lose one.
Lose one, win one.
It’s a trend the UFA Bisons have had for the past five weeks, including this past weekend’s trip to the Edmonton area.
After collecting a 6-2 win over the K of C Pats on Dec. 4, the Bisons took too many costly penalties in a 5-2 loss to the St. Albert Sports Raiders the following day.
“These split weekend are definitely starting to hurt us,” said goaltender George Merik. “At the start of the season it seemed like we’d win, win, win – and then have a stinker. Now it seems like we win – have a stinker, win – have a stinker.
“It’s definitely disappointing. It think everyone is fed up with it.”
Mason Burr had two goals and an assist, while Kirby Ruzesky record three assists in the win over the Pats. Connor Chartier and Simon Philp each added a goal and an assist, while Sam Johnson and Joshua Betinol each scored once.
After taking a 2-0 lead, the Bisons surrendered two quick goals, ending the first period tied at two. The Bisons scored a power play goal in the second period before bursting out for three goals in the final frame.
On Sunday, Darian Henry opened the scoring with a power play goal 7:27 into the first period, before the Raiders scored five unanswered goals. Torrin White rounded out the scoring with a powerplay goal with 9:46 left in the game.
“Everybody came to play on Saturday – everyone was focused on what we had to do,” said Merik. “On Sunday, we gave up those two (first period) goals early and we tried to battle back there in the second, but we took a couple of stupid penalties and they took advantage of it.
“The penalties definitely hurts us – we took them at the wrong time.”
After losing his first game of the season Nov. 6, a 9-2 drubbing at the hands of the Red Deer Rebels – in which he gave up five goals, Merik is undefeated in his last three starts.
Despite having a tough 3.81 goals against average and .888 save percentage, he boasts an impressive 6-1-1 record on the season.
According to the Rockyford native, his personal game is coming around.
“I’m starting to feel good,” said Merik. “I had a bit of a rough patch there … but I feel like I’m getting into a groove, which is good coming into the Mac’s (Midget Hockey Tournament).”
The Bisons are hoping to improve on their 11-5-4 record, when they host a pair of North Division opponents this weekend.
The team will host the CAC Gregg Distributors on Dec. 11 (5:30 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre, before once again tangling with the K of C Pats on Sunday afternoon. Game time is 2 p.m.