Power outage for Bisons

Times Editor

 

An ineffective power play has cost the UFA Bisons valuable points in the Alberta Midget Hockey League standings.

The local triple-A midget team went 0-11 with the extra attacker during their second defeat of the season, a 4-3 loss to the Boston Pizza Rangers Nov. 5 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

While the Bisons did manage two goals on four power play attempts the following day, a 4-4 draw with the Lloydminster Bobcats, the lack of output on the man advantage was a concern to head coach Jeremy Friesen.

“Absolutely – it was the same story as always,” said the bench boss. “It’s frustrating because going back to the weekend prior, our power play was tremendous. We ran about 30-35 per cent and we kept things simple. 

“I think what happened on the weekend was we got down early and as soon as you are playing from behind, you try and do too much to make up for that difference.

“It’s simple – you’ve got to move the puck quick and break down the box. You need to change the point of attack, and as soon as you do that, you have to attack the net.

“Right now we’re just too perimeter … we’re doing a good job of getting into the zone and maintaining the puck, but we’re not accomplishing anything.

“We’re making it easy for whoever is defending against us.”

Despite playing a solid even-strength game, the Bisons fell behind 2-0 by allowing a pair of power play goals before Joshua Betinol converted a feed from Conner Bleackley and Mitch McAllister to cut the deficit in half.

The Rangers then scored a deflating goal with 30 seconds left in the first period, to restore the two-goal lead, before taking a 4-1 lead early in the second period.

The Bisons battled back with a goal late in the second period when Chandler Irvin converted a pass from Brody Valette.

The Herd dominated the play in the third period, outshooting the Rangers 14-7, but could only muster one more goal, when Betinol converted another feed from Bleackley.

“It was the first time this year that we’ve been down by more than a goal,” said Friesen. “We started out pretty slow on Saturday – we need to make sure we’re up and ready to play and don’t take those costly penalties that put us in a position to start chasing right from the (beginning).”

Despite the loss the night before, the Bisons were not as sharp as they should have been against the Bobcats.

A last-second goal with two seconds left in the game spared the Bisons their second loss in as many days, as they pulled out a 4-4 draw.

Betinol was the hero of the afternoon, as he scored the tying goal and added an assist. Tyler Haiste and Irvin each added a pair of assists, while Austin Masse, Bleackley and Alex Bechtold each scored once in the tie.

Even though they had five affiliate players in the line-up, Friesen refused to use that as an excuse.

“Not at all,” responded Friesen. “Given the circumstance, (both of) those teams are below us in the standings – a non-divisional opponent – those are games you have to win and two points.

“To only get one out of the four (points) is disappointing for sure, but we learned a lot of valuable lessons about our team. I think we saw … some things we have to work on.

“It was a good weekend to show our guys where we’re at and what we need to do going forward.”

The Bisons will look to improve on their 5-2-4 record this weekend, when they host the Medicine Hat Tigers Nov. 13 (2 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.