Bisons elevate their game to the Mac’s
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
Edmonton SSAC Athletics vs UFA Bisons
Dec. 28, Father David Bauer Arena
The UFA Bisons erased a two-goal deficit by scoring four unanswered goals en route to a 6-4 win over the SSAC Athletics.
After scoring the first goal, the Bisons fell behind 4-2 before storming back with a huge second half and taking control of the game, along with top spot in Pool 1 at the Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament.
“They boys showed a lot of character, (especially) when we got down after the first,” said forward Joshua Betinol, who sparked the comeback with a goal midway through the second period. “We came back in the second hard and got a few quick goals and held the lead from then on. Shift after shift, we kept getting better.
“We need to keep it simple really – we’re a good forechecking team so if we play to our strengths, get pucks deep, work hard and skate on it, we’ll be successful.”
Connor Bleackley, Chandler Irvin, Kevin O’Rourke, Austin Masse and Parker Evans-Campbell also scored for the Bisons, who improved to 2-0-1 in the tournament.
The game essentially eliminated the Athletics from the tournament, who defeated the Bisons last year en route to winning championship.
“They played a great game, they’ve got a lot of talented guys – they are the defending champs and they knocked us out of the tournament last year, so it does feel good,” said head coach Jeremy Friesen. “It is different personnel on both sides, but it comes down to pride and taking care of the program. You can take a lot of pride in doing that.”
Sherwood Park J. Ennis Kings vs UFA Bisons
Dec. 30, Father David Bauer Arena
The UFA Bisons entered the final round robin game with one goal in mind – victory.
A win or a tie would secure the Bisons top spot in Pool 1 and guaranteed them a playoff game on New Year’s Eve.
Chander Irvin, Parker Evans-Campbell and Aaron Macklin each scored first period goals and goaltender Wilson Sproule made 30 saves to make sure that would happen.
“It feels good to finally be able to secure a playoff spot and keep doing what we do best – winning,” beamed Sproule after the 3-1 victory. “I have to give credit to the boys, they’re playing really good in front of me. They’re not giving up too many chances – it has nothing to do with me. I’m just trying to keep it simple.”
According to Friesen, he is not surprised that his netminder deflected credit from himself.
“He’s more than happy to pass off (the spotlight),” said Friesen. “A prime example is today, he wins the game star – he’s already won one – and he walks in the room and hands it off to another guy who he thought deserved it. That’s just the type of kid he is – he is a tremendous individual on and off the ice.”
UFA Bisons vs
Calgary NW Flames
Dec. 31, Max Bell Centre
Playoff Quarterfinal
The UFA Bisons have used the term often this year – ‘bend, but don’t break.’
In the first playoff game of the Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament, the local triple-A midget team did just that.
Parker Evans-Campbell and Joshua Betinol each scored first period goals, before the Bisons ‘bent’ in the second period, allowing the Flames to even the contest at two heading into the final period.
However, Dale Nerland and Connor Bleackley each scored in the third period, lifting the Bisons to the quarterfinals of the Mac’s Tournament with a 4-2 win.
“We knew going into the dressing room after the second that we would have to step it up,” said assistant coach Mike Voytechek. “We got back on our heels a bit, but they re-grouped and did excellent in the third.”
Bisons kept rolling four lines and eventually pulled out the win.
“We have incredible depth, that’s what’s going to take us far,” said Evans-Campbell, who was named the game’s star. “There is no doubt we can play with any of the guys (they put on the ice). It’s much easier for us to roll four line and keep the legs fresh.”
UFA Bisons vs Prince Albert Mintos
Dec. 31, Max Bell Centre
Playoff Semifinal
When the UFA Bisons and the Prince Albert Mintos collided in the semifinal of the Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament, head coach Jeremy Friesen called it a ‘feeling out process.’
The two teams never squared off prior to puck drop – and in fact, neither team had time to scout the other during the tournament’s round robin games.
So when the two teams finally met, the Bisons had no chance to make adjustments to their game until after the first period.
After a scoreless opening period and allowing the first goal early in the second period, the Bisons intermission adjustments took place, as they netted three goals in a span of 5:38 en route to a hard fought 4-2 win.
“The first period was more of a feeling out process – we have never seen this team before, we hadn’t had a chance to watch them for five to 10 minutes to see where they’re at,” said Friesen. “So (the first period) was really to see what kind of game plan they bring and what kind of things they like to do.
“From there we made a couple of adjustments to tighten up the gap with our defence, make sure we had good forward support. Make sure our forwards were coming back more and catching them on the transition.
“I think that was our success today … we started catching them through the neutral zone with speed and generated a lot more scoring opportunities,”
Forward Alex Bechtold opened the scoring before Chandler Irvin and Conner Bleackley gave the Bisons a 3-1 lead going into the third.
After the Mintos made a significant third period push, Bleackley added an insurance marker before the Prince Albert added a tally with just 17 seconds left.
“We stuck to the systems and we played as a team,” said forward Rylan Muenchrath, who added an assist in game. “If we get down a goal, we seem to rebound and comeback with a goal.”