Bisons struggle to sweep
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
The UFA Bisons improved to 7-2-5 on the season after collecting three out of four points this past weekend on the road.
The local triple-A midget team hammered the lowly Grande Prairie Storm 9-2 on Nov. 19, before earning a 3-3 draw versus the United Cycle Maple Leafs the following day.
Despite adding three more points to the standings, head coach Jeremy Friesen was disappointed in the one point that got away.
“It’s good (that we’re picking up points), but it’s disappointing at the same time,” said the coach. “This weekend was a perfect opportunity to for us to put four points on the board and really start to create some separation for ourselves (in the standings) – we didn’t take advantage of that.
“When you are playing teams that are not in your division and are way below you in the standings – those are games you have to have two points in. You don’t get second or third chances.”
The Bisons started the weekend with a solid effort en route to a 9-2 win in Grande Prairie. Parker Evans-Campbell led the attack with two goals and an assist, while Rylan Muenchrath collected a goal and two helpers.
Tyler Wong, Mitch McAllister and Conner Bleackley each had a goal and an assist, while Lenny Hackman, Chandler Irvin and Joshua Betinol also tallied for the Bisons.
Tyler Haiste and Aaron Macklin each added a pair of assists and goaltender Grayson Sharpe made 13 saves in the win.
“We kind of challenged the boys a little bit and it was as close to a 60-minute outing that we’ve had all year,” said Friesen. “We didn’t give up, we didn’t quit – we just kept coming after them. Some of the guys that have been struggling to score put pucks in the back of the net.
“It was good for their confidence.”
Despite their playing a solid game the night before, the Bisons took a step back when they faced the Maple Leafs.
The Bisons allowed a fluke goal just 16 seconds into the game and never recovered en route to the 3-3 draw.
Hackman led the attack with a goal and an assist, while Kevin O’Rourke and Markson Bechtold each scored once.
“(Sunday) wasn’t very good – we struggled,” said Friesen. “They started out with a lucky bounce about 15 seconds in and we couldn’t get our energy level back up from there. It was one of those games – no matter what we did, we just couldn’t gain momentum and keep it up at the same level. I’m definitely not happy with the performance.”
The Bisons look to rebound their next game, when they travel to Calgary to take on the NW Calgary Flames on Nov. 24 (8 p.m.) at the Father David Bauer.
According to Friesen, it will be a good measuring stick for his club.
“We’re really excited for Thursday’s game to obviously see where we’re at,” said Friesen. “It’s our first critical divisional match-up so far this year. It’s a huge challenge for us and I’m interested to see how our guys respond.”