Bisons all tied up early at Macs

Times Editor

 

Saskatoon Contacts vs UFA Bisons

Dec. 26 @ Father David Bauer

The UFA Bisons battled back from a two-goal third period deficit to earn a 4-4 draw versus the Saskatoon Bobcats to open the 2012 Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament.

After the Bisons came out to a 2-0 lead, the Bobcats scored four unanswered goals and looked to have the game wrapped up late in the third period.

However, a late goal with 59 seconds left earned the Bisons one point in Pool 5.

“The first period was a little bit of a feeling out process,” said Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen. “I liked the way we started, taking the two-goal lead. They started backing us off with their speed game and we had to make adjustments in the third and played desperate hockey and got a lucky bounce at the end.

“Our third period bought us another day and another opportunity … if we do what we need to do the rest of the way, then we’ll set ourselves up for a pretty neat opportunity.”

Matt Forchuk opened the scoring early in the first period when he converted a pass from Markson Bechtold and Connor McCallum. Brody Vallette gave the Bisons a two-goal lead when he converted a feed from Connor Boyd and Mackenzie Bauer.

Boyd pulled the Bisons to within one midway through the third, before Bechtold’s late heroics (credited to Mark Nerland) evened the game.

“I just saw it and tried to funnel it to the net and luckily it hit a stick and went in,” said Bechtold, who was named the Bisons player of the game. “I got it, but it was definitely a lucky one. It wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it.”

 

Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 

vs UFA Bisons

Dec. 27 @ Max Bell Centre

More late game heroics salvaged the point for the UFA Bisons.

After falling behind 4-1 going into the third period, the UFA Bisons scored three unanswered goals, including the tying marker in the final minute to earn a 4-4 draw.

“That was a huge point for us,” said Bisons general manager Wayne Hansen. “A loss there and you’re in real trouble. You know, the one thing about our guys is they don’t quit. They continue to work and they continue to find a way.

“At the end of the day, their hard work paid off.”

Mason McCarty was a hero of the day, scoring the tying goal late in the third period. The slick forward also added a key assist in the tie. Jake Dube, Kurt Fraser and Mackenzie Bauer each added a goal for the Bisons, who honoured long-time manager Neil Glionna prior to their feature game.

Glionna spent 16 years with the club and was instrumental in making the Bisons one of the best organizations in the AMHL.

“I don’t even know where to start with that one,” said Hansen when asked about Glionna. “There were quite a few people at the ceremony today who were there in the early days and they talk about how the organization has changed. Almost all of that for the good and a lot of that is attributed to Neil.

“He has taken this program from its infancy when he started to … one of the premier midget (organizations) in Western Canada.”

Due to New Year’s deadlines, the games after Dec. 29 at the Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament were not available as of press time. A full recap will be provided in the Jan. 11 issue of the Strathmore Times.