Bisons shine during showcase weekend

Times Editor  

 

It may have taken a dozen games, but it looks like the UFA Bisons may have hit a turning point in their 2012-2013 season.

The local triple-A midget team defeated a pair of top teams in the north division during this past weekend’s AMHL Showcase Weekend, extending their winning streak to four games.

The Bisons, who struggled out of the gate early this season, used the Showcase Weekend to prove they are better than their .500 record indicated by beating the St. Albert Raiders and the Leduc Oil Kings.

Despite an impressive 14-5-4 combined record between the two teams entering the weekend, the Bisons defeated the Raiders 5-3 on Nov. 10, before hammering the Oil Kings 6-2 the following day.

“We always knew we had it – it was a team maturity thing we had to go through and some growing pains we had to go through,” described Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen. “I think we’ve definitely turned a corner, we’ve got some team confidence now. It started last weekend, and now knocking off two of the top teams in the north, it’s just something we can (build) off of. It’s obviously something knowing we can compete with those guys and when we play our game, we can bring some separation in our favour.

“In terms of depth, balance and having everyone going, it was a terrific weekend.”

New goaltender Richard Palmer played both games for the Bisons, showing tremendous confidence, which rubbed off on his teammates.

Prior to joining the Bisons, Palmer posted a 6-0 record with the Okotoks Oilers double-A midget team, allowing only nine goals in the process.

“It’s so much faster, the puck moves like crazy, the passes are almost always on the tape and the shots are three times harder,” laughed Palmers when describing the jump in competition. “I just wanted to come into this weekend and get the wins so I can show that I’m part of the team and that I can play at this level. That was the biggest thing for me. I just need to keep playing like I do, just bring it up to the next level.”

In Palmer’s debut as an official roster member, the Bisons received five goals from different players, including a highlight reel goal from Connor Tudor against the Raiders. With time and space behind the net, Tudor scored a Sidney Crosby-esque goal when he lifted the puck on his stick and tucked the puck just under the crossbar from behind the cage. 

“I actually tried two wrap-arounds that shift,” said Tudor describing his lacrosse-like goal. “I got the puck around the net again and thought ‘you know what? I can do it in practice, so why not try it here?’

“I happened to pull it off … I’m still just as shocked that it went it, but it’s pretty cool.”

Tudor also collected a pair of assists and linemate Kurt Fraser collected three assists. Markson Bechtold, Jake Dube, Connor McCallum and Mark McLeod also scored for the Bisons.

“We did give up the three power play goals, but for the most part we contained them to the outside,” said Friesen of the win over the Raiders. “A lot of their chances were off of bad bounces and getting pucks to the middle.”

The Bisons continued their stellar play the following day when they face the Oil Kings. Defenceman Brady Reagan had a goal and two assists, while Colby Chartier collected a goal and an assist in the win.

Mason McCarty, Ryan Zeniuk, Mackenzie Bauer and Tudor each tallied once for the Bisons, who improved to 7-7-0 on the season.

“I think the key (against the Kings) was our forecheck,” said the coach. “We were patient, containing the middle of the ice and we got rewarded with three goals with just that alone. Our d-men did a great job getting the puck up the ice and we did a great job collecting momentum off of our cycle game.

“Not a question (that was our best third period this season), a two-goal lead at home against one of the top teams and we completely shut them down and added a couple as well.”

The Bisons will now hit the road for a pair of games in Edmonton this coming weekend. The Herd will play the Knights of Columbus Pats on Nov. 16, before taking on the MLAC United Cycle Maple Leafs the following day.

The next home game is Nov. 23 (8 p.m.) when they host the leagues top team, the Red Deer Chiefs at the Strathmore Family Centre.