One point here – two points there

Times Editor

 

As most hockey coaches will tell you, the key to any successful team is consistency.

Consistently sticking to the game plan.

Consistently playing disciplined.

Consistently showing a solid team effort.

And most importantly, consistently picking up points.

Just six games into the Alberta Midget Hockey League schedule, the UFA Bisons have done just that – especially, picking up points.

The Bisons remained undefeated on the season after a pair of home games this past weekend at the Strathmore Family Centre.

The herd tied the Calgary Flames 2-2 Oct. 15, before defeating the Grand Prairie Storm 9-1 on Oct. 17.

“I think that might have been the best game we’ve played all year,” said Bisons head coach Parry Shockey after the win. “Mostly because our execution was really good and we really paid attention to detail. It’s tough to play a team like that and not kind of get on you own (individual) program – I thought we played a solid team (game) and we made very few errors. Ultimately, at the end of the day, I thought we got a great effort out of all of our guys.

“I think this is one of those games that we can use as a stepping stone.”

In fact it was a game that every player got their name on the score sheet – either with a penalty, a point, or in the case of goaltender Devon Fordyce, 31-saves.

Connor Chartier scored two goals and added an assist, while Mitch McAllister added a goal and two helpers. Luke Philp, Samuel McKechnie and affiliate player and current Wheatland Chief, Cody Burndred, each added a goal and an assist.

Joshua Betinol, Simon Philp and Sam Johnson each added a goal, while Darian Henry, Carson McCormick and Torrin White each added a pair of assists. Justin Fraser, another affiliate player with the Wheatland Chiefs, also collected an assist.

“We played well – they’re a bit of a weaker team and we didn’t come down to their level – we kept it up to our (level),” said Chartier. “We stayed strong all game.”

On Friday night, two of the leagues undefeated teams squared off. And when it was all said and done, both remained undefeated after a 2-2 draw.

Chartier led the way with a goal and an assist, while Luke Philp added the other Bison’s tally. 

“They’re definitely the top team in the league right now and it felt good to come out of there with a tie – we know we can play at their level,” said Chartier. “We had a little bit of a breakdown at the end (giving up the lead with 1:13 left).” 

The Bisons will now hit the road for a pair of games in the North Division. The herd will tangle with the Boston Pizza Rangers Oct. 23, before taking on the Lloydminister Bobcats the following day.

According to Shockey, the Bisons have progressed quite nicely since the start of the season.

“We’ve got some guys that have come a long ways in a month,” said the coach. “If they continue on this learning curve, who know how good they’re going to be.

“We’re pushing these guys hard, we’re demanding a lot from them and we’re growing them up.