Bisons leave points on the table

Times Editor

 

One bad period of hockey is all that separated the UFA Bisons from four points this past weekend.

Instead, in an otherwise successful pair of games, the Bisons walked away with just two points after defeating the Gregg Distributors 8-2 on Dec. 11 at the Strathmore Family Centre, and losing 4-2 to the Leduc Oil Kings the following day 4-2.

The Bisons played one of their worst periods of hockey on home ice this season against the Kings, before controlling the second and third periods of the game – but it was too little, too late.

According to Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen, ‘there is no question at all’ that one bad period cost the Bisons a sweep.

“It was a complete lack of attention to detail, there was no work ethic – power play, penalty kill, nothing seemed to be working there,” said Friesen of the first period. “I really like the way we responded in the second and third – I think we showed ourselves and we showed them that when we stay five-on-five, we can dictate the way things will go.

“(But) when you come out and you’re not really prepared … that is going to be the result. You have to tip your hat to Leduc, they are a heck of a hockey team.”

After giving up three goals in the first 20 minutes, the Bisons outscored the Kings 2-1 in the final 40. 

Tyler Wong, who scored both goals for the herd, saw a lot of positives after the brutal first period.

“The last two periods, we dominated them,” said Wong. “I think we outshot them pretty good and we out-chanced them, but their goalie stood on his head.

“If we played the first period like we did the final two periods, we would have won the game.”

The Bisons opened the weekend with an 8-2 thrashing of the Gregg Distributors Canadians on Dec. 10 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Markson Bechtold led the way for the Bisons with two goals and an assist, while Aaron Macklin registered a goal and two helpers. Conner Bleackley potted a pair of goals and Parker Evans-Campbell collected three assists.

Tyler Wong and Chander Irvin potted a goal and an assist each, while Alex Bechtold also tallied for the Bisons.

“Things went really well – we changed things up on the power play and we went six for 10,” beamed Friesen. “Anytime your (power play) is at 60 per cent, you’re going to be successful. It started with our goaltending – Wilson Sproule was absolutely fantastic in the first period when we had to kill a lengthy five on three. He made four or five exceptional, outstanding saves. We’re not sure how (he stopped them).

“Almost immediately after that, we came back and got a quick power play goal. We killed off another extended five on three near the end of the first period and we went back down and scored again.

“That kind of changed the whole momentum and pace of the game. We didn’t let up and that is one thing I’ve liked about our team the last couple of games.”

According to Friesen, it is nice to score eight goals in a game, but he was more proud of his team only allowing two goals against, something the coaching staff has been preaching.

Another thing the team has worked on is their power play, which may have cost them a few games earlier in the year. However, Friesen was pleased with the adjustment the Bisons made on the man advantage.

“We made some changes – we dropped some forwards back on the point and we are a lot more patient with the puck and that is creating a lot more time and space,” said the coach. “We’re dragging their players out and that is exposing seams down low. We have a net presence – there is always someone in front.”

The Bisons are now gearing up for three games in three nights this coming weekend. The team will host the Red Deer Rebels on Dec. 16 (8 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre before travelling to Edmonton for a pair of games versus the Gregg Distributors and the K of C Pat the following two days.