Bisons eliminated in close series

Times Editor

 

In the final weekend of the regular season, the UFA Bisons finally started playing the type of hockey that made them a successful hockey club.

During the first-round of the AMHL playoffs, it was not enough.

The UFA Bisons dropped two close games to the Calgary Buffaloes, losing 5-4 in Game 1 on Feb. 22 in Calgary, before falling 2-1 in double overtime in Game 2 Feb. 25 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Despite playing well enough to win the series, the Bisons are struggling to pinpoint where things went wrong.

“It’s tough to put your finger on it,” said Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen after being eliminated. “I thought it was a very evenly matched series and both games were separated by one goal – that’s the difference.

“They did a pretty good job backing off our D and they created time and space in the middle of the ice. They really have a lot of skill down low and they do a good job using that net – both winning goals in both games were guys coming out on the other side (of the net to score).

“You look in Game 1, both teams had three power play goals and in Game 2, neither team had one, so I thought it was a pretty even series, two evenly balanced teams.

“At the end of the day, they made two more plays than we did.”

According to Friesen, he was proud of the way his team battled back from deficits in both games. He said his team gave the Buffs all they could handle in the short best-of-three series.

However, the Bisons never took their game to the next level.

“No, I don’t think we saw our best hockey,” said Friesen. “Our level of play in the Mac’s (Midget Hockey Tournament) – we had four lines and six D just going non-stop.

“Here we had some guys pull back a little bit and a lot of that has to do with pressure. Your time and space and sense of urgency just has to be there come playoff time.

“I think the guys just took it for granted a little bit – (the way we played at the Mac’s) was the way we were just going to keep playing. I don’t think we ever got back on track as far as putting in that work ethic and putting in the commitment level.

“However, all-in-all … we came here and gave it everything we had. I would honestly tell you we left everything on the ice and didn’t leave anything to chance.”

Despite not advancing further in the post season, Friesen said this season was a success because they prepared all the members to become better players in the future.

Even though the team was disappointed in the loss, they can take solace in the success they did have, particularly in the aforementioned Mac’s Tournament.

“I’m very proud of all of our guys,” said Friesen. “It was a fun year and all these guys have a bright future ahead of them.”