Recapping the Macs

Times Editor

 

Offence lights is up

Valley West Hawks vs UFA Bisons

Dec. 26 at Father David Bauer Arena

For the first 40 minutes, it was anyone’s game.

For the final 20 minutes, it was all UFA Bisons.

Either way, the local triple-A midget team opened the 33rd Annual Mac’s Midget Tournament with a convincing 6-1 win over the Valley West Hawks.

After a tentative first two periods, the Bisons exploded with four third-period goals to take care of the Hawks.

“I didn’t think that we brought our A-game to start it,” said head coach Parry Shockey. “We kind of tapped them out and got a feel for them – they didn’t scare us, so we played that way. We allowed them to be a part of it … but in the third period, we picked up the pace and took charge.”

After allowing the first goal 5:44 into the opening frame, the Bisons scored two goals in the second half of the first period, before exploding for four goals in the final frame.

Sam Johnson had a two goals and an assist to pace the Bisons, while Luke Philp and Kirby Ruzesky each added a goal and an assist.

“We felt them out for the first period and a half and then I thought we kicked it into gear,” said Johnson, who was named player of the game. “After that, we had a really solid game. I think we tried to feel them out too much and we weren’t playing our game. We were trying to see what they had when we should have been going at them harder. Eventually we realized that if we played our game, we’ll be successful.”

Chartier netted a first period hat-trick, while Jared Potter scored once to spark the Bisons to a 4-0 lead after the first period. Shayne Gwinner and Chartier scored in the second period to build up a 6-0 lead, before the Rebels scored two in the third period. Kirby Ruzesky assisted on all four of Chartier’s goals.

“I thought we were outstanding through the first period and I thought that we were really good throughout the second period,” said head coach Parry Shockey. “Our discipline was really solid and our guys came to play. That’s the hockey team that we would like to see.

“When you rise to the occasion and answer the bell, it’s pretty satisfying.”

 

Merik steals the show

UFA Bisons vs Prince Albert Mintos

Dec. 30 at Max Bell Centre

Despite being vastly outshot, the UFA Bisons earned a wildcard berth in the Mac’s Midget Playoffs after a 4-1 over Prince Albert.

After giving up the first goal midway through the first period, UFA Bisons netminder was stellar between the pipes, making 42 saves in the win.

“All the action really keeps me in the game, especially in a pressure game like this,” said Merik, the obvious player of the game. “I could see the puck today and everything was working. They are a very offensive team and we didn’t know how to handle it right at the start. We adjusted to it and we started taking it to them.”

Luke Philp, who also collected an assist, scored early in the second period to tie the game, before the Bisons responded with three goals in the final 20 minutes. Sam Johnson, Kirby Ruzesky and Mason Burr capped off the scoring for the Bisons.

“All we can say is we gave it our all this game,” said Merik. “We could have made it easier on ourselves if we won that other game (versus Winnipeg), but we played well today.”

According to assistant coach Cody Leavitt, the team is confident with Merik between the pipes, especially after last year’s performance at the Mac’s, where he was selected to the all-star game. 

“George is George – for some reason he gets up for this tournament and it really brings out the best in him and it’s really nice to see,” said Leavitt. “Everybody on this team has gone through rough patches – and he’s had his too – so it’s nice to see him shine for us when it matters the most. Especially on this stage.”

 

Bisons ousted by Athletics

UFA Bisons vs SSAC BP Athletics

Dec. 31 at Father David Bauer Arena

The UFA Bisons defeated the SSAC Athletics in their two regular season games in the Alberta Midget Hockey League.

However, all that meant nothing at the Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament.

Despite taking two leads, the Bisons were defeated 4-3 by the Athletics, eliminating the locals from the prestigious tournament.

“We ran into a hot goaltender, you have to give them credit,” said Bisons head coach Parry Shockey. “Their four goals were on our errors … we have a really good hockey team, we (just) have to limit the mistakes we make. I’d say we made six or seven mistakes today and four ended up in the back of (our) net.

“At the end of the day, we’re an exciting hockey team to watch and we do a lot of great things – we just don’t do them for 60 minutes”

Samuel McKechnie scored twice and Luke Philp scored once to pace the Bisons attack. Despite being named player of the game, McKechnie was disappointed in the loss.

“You can’t even enjoy (the player of the game) because it’s all about the team,” said McKechnie. “I don’t think that anyone is happy about the loss. Their goalie was hot … maybe the hockey gods were on their side a little bit.”

 

Bisons lost in the Wild

Winnipeg Wild vs UFA Bisons

Dec. 27 at Max Bell Centre

One bad stretch in the second period cost the UFA Bisons a chance at finishing first in Pool A.

After exchanging goals in the first period, the Wild steamrolled the Bisons with four second-period tallies en-route to a 6-2 win over the local squad.

A stretch just over three minutes cost the Bisons three goals midway through the second period, before both teams exchanged third period goals.

Despite dominating the third period, the Bisons could only muster one goal.

“The third period is our hockey team,” said Bisons head coach Parry Shockey. “The rest of it was – I don’t know what you call them … immature, not focused, not ready to play. In the third period, when we turned it up, there was not enough time left.

“Attention to detail, a sense of urgency – it’s all the things that make a hockey club. We had no hockey player today until the third period.”

Kirby Ruzesky, who had a goal and an assist, was named player of the game for the Bisons, while Connor Chartier had a pair of helpers. Mason Burr also tallied for the locals.

“We’re going to have to win the rest of them and probably by a little bit of a hefty score if we want to continue on,” said Ruzesky of the Bisons chances to make the Macs Playoffs. “We pretty much have to battle for our lives. We didn’t come out strong – we had a first good shift, we had a couple of big hits and we thought we’d have the momentum – and then we just lost it. Until the third, we really didn’t come around and it was too late.”

 

Bisons hammer Rebels

UFA Bisons vs Red Deer Rebels

Dec. 28 at Father David Bauer Arena

Connor Chartier picked the right time to have the game of his life.

The bruising power-forward scored four times to lead the UFA Bisons to a 6-2 win over archrival Red Deer.

With no room for error, the Bisons needed the victory to remain in the hunt for a wildcard berth in the tournament’s playoffs.

“It feels great – I haven’t done that in a while,” said Chartier, who was named player of the game. “It was good to get the team going there – this was a big game and I tried my best to help the team out.

“We all knew that we had to come ready to play and come out hard. We knew we had to outplay that team to win.”