Bisons rebound after ‘embarrassing’ loss

Times Editor

 

After suffering their worst loss of the season, the UFA Bisons immediately got back to the win column in their next game.

The local triple-A midget team was decimated 11-3 by the Calgary Buffaloes on Nov. 30 at the Acadia Arena, before posting a 7-2 trashing of the Calgary Royals Dec. 2 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

“You know what? There wasn’t much needed for inspiration or motivational speeches – the guys were ready and I thought we responded really well,” said Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen. “I was really proud of the guys.”

That was exactly the response he was looking for from his players after a disastrous road game two nights prior.

The Bisons had a good first period, controlling much of the play in the opening 20 minutes of the contest. However, despite receiving numerous power play opportunities in the second period, they trailed 5-1 going into the third.

After replying with a goal 5:56 into the third period, the wheels completely fell off, as the Buffaloes reeled off six goals in the final frame.

“I don’t have one answer for you,” said a flabbergasted coach after the game. “I liked our first period, I thought we did a lot of good thing. We hemmed them in their zone quite a bit, we stuck to the game plan. We lost (captain) Mitch McAllister to a suspect call, (it was) boarding maybe (not a game misconduct) – he’s our leader and our heart and soul guy.

“There is no excuses when you lose a guy like that for others to step up and fill the void. Instead it was the exact opposite – we had guys that look like they just gave up.

“We were struggling to find guys we even wanted to put on the ice.”

However, just 48 hours later, the Bisons came prepared to play. The club scored a power play goal early in the first period and left the opening frame with a 2-1 lead. UFA exploded for five unanswered goals en route to a 7-2 win.

McAllister made an immediate impact for the Bisons, leading the way with three goals and two assists, while Lenny Hackman registered a goal and two helpers.

Conner Bleackley recorded three assists, while Alex Bechtold chipped in with a goal and an assist. Parker Evans Campbell and Austin Masse each registered a goal.

“I can honestly tell you I think that was the most complete game of the season,” said Friesen. “We came out pretty strong – we had a couple of (affiliate players) on the back end that contributed and helped us out. We didn’t pull the pedal back at all.

“Against a divisional opponent like the Royals, it’s good to see.”

The Bisons will now play host to a couple of North Division opponents this coming weekend when they tangle with the CAC Athletics (Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m.) and the Leduc Oil Kings (Dec. 11, 2 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre. 

According to Friesen, it will be a good challenge for his club.

“We know that when we play our game and when we play the way that we want to play, we’re going to match up with any team in the league – there’s no question about that,” said the coach. “We have to prove that what we did on Friday night is actually who we are.”