Bison look to tightening the D
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
Despite being one win away from clinching third place in the South Division of the Alberta Midget Hockey League, there is one glaring statistic that might be a cause for concern for the UFA Bisons heading into the post season.
The local triple-A midget team has allowed the second most goals-against in the division, allowing 114 goals, right behind the Medicine Hat Tigers, who have allowed 137.
However, the coaching staff is comfortable with their team defence, especially when you take into consideration the club has scored the second most goals for in the league.
“People can say what they want about our goals-against,” said head coach Parry Shockey. “If you look at some of the goals, it’s about maturity.
“People say ‘well maybe you should change the way you (play).’ I’m not changing the way we play defence. This is the way you play defence – this is the way you win hockey games.
“If (we change our system), we’re admitting we don’t have the capability or the personnel to play the game the way it’s supposed to be played – well, we do.
“I’m not backing off that. It isn’t happening.”
Shockey believes that his squad can play a solid defensive game without using the dreaded neutral zone trap.
“Could we get a goal scored against us that costs us the season?” asked Shockey. “Maybe we do. But you know what, it’s because somebody didn’t win a battle. If that’s what it comes down to, that’s what it comes down to.
“When we play our game and we play hard, we win. When we play it lackadaisical, the game is out there and we’re exposed.”
The Bisons were busy this past weekend, playing three games in four days. It started off with a matinee game versus the Calgary Buffaloes on Feb. 3 in Calgary, the rescheduled contest from the Jan. 8 snowstorm.
Despite outplaying the Buffaloes, especially in the second period, the Bisons fell 5-4. A pair of goals six seconds apart gave the Buffs a lead they would not surrender.
Luke Philp scored a goal and an assist to pace the Bisons offence, while Connor Chartier, Sam McKechnie and Torrin White also tallied.
The Bisons offence exploded two-days later in Grande Prairie, as Chartier and Philp each scored twice in a 7-1 romp over the Storm. White added a goal and two assists, while linemate Sam Johnson registered a goal and an assist. Simon Philp also tallied for the herd, while McKechnie and Kirby Ruzesky each added a pair of helpers.
The Bisons capped of the road-trip with a 4-4 tie versus the Leduc Oil Kings on Feb. 6. Ruzesky and Carson McCormick each scored a goal and an assist, while Chartier and McKechnie each added a goal.
“At the end of the day, we like the way our hockey team plays,” said Shockey. “You look at our puck movement, the things we do – the creativeness that the guys are allowed to play within – we let them play.”
The Bisons will now close out the regular season with a road game in Lethbridge on Feb. 13. Game time is 2 p.m.