Spooky month finally over for Bisons

Times Editor 

 

While the ghosts and goblins were out in full force for Halloween, nothing has scared UFA Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen more than a number.

The plain and simple number of 47 is a frightening reminder of the UFA Bisons goals against through 10 games this season.

Despite being a proficient goal scoring team, the local triple-A midget team has allowed the second most goals against in the South Division, resulting in a mediocre 3-5-0 record.

“Thank God October is over and we can turn the page and focus on November,” said Friesen. 

The Bisons capped off the harsh October with a pair of road losses – a 7-1 loss to Red Deer Oct. 26 and a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Lethbridge two days later.

“This past weekend was a tale of two teams,” said the coach. “Friday night going into Red Deer, we talked a lot about the game plan we wanted to implement and how we knew that they didn’t take any shortcuts. There is a reason they are the defending National Champions and a reason they were undefeated up until that point. 

“We went in, took a couple of shortcuts right at the first shift which resulted in a breakaway goal for them. Then we struggled to find our legs and get back to our game plan – it led to making more and more shortcuts (and mistakes).”

However, when the puck dropped in Lethbridge, the Bisons played a much better game. Despite outshooting their opponent, the Bisons made three mistakes and all three resulted in a goal for the Pronghorns.

“We played well, we probably out-chanced them, but the power play let us down in the first period,” said the coach. “We didn’t capitalize on the chances when we should have and that was the difference in the game.”

According to Friesen, the goaltending was much better this past weekend compared to the past and he thinks the team is making strides in the defensive end.

“(We saw) some encouraging steps (in our goaltending),” said Friesen. “I still firmly believe in our team and once we put everything in place and we all start pulling in the right direction, all at once, it will be great. We’ll be a pretty scary team.”

The Bisons will look to get back in the win column this coming weekend when they host the Southeast Tigers on Nov. 3 (5:30 p.m.) and the Calgary Royals Nov. 4 (2 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.