Bisons extinguish Flames

Times Reporter   

 

In their last regular season game of 2013, the UFA Bisons ran over the Calgary Flames by a score of 3-1 on Dec. 21 at home. Zach Giroux had a goal and an assist, as did Shane Fraser; Troy Van Tetering contributed two assists.

“Our guys, we have good talent on the team,” said Bisons coach Dan MacDonald. “Sometimes, they don’t have the confidence to score the way they should. They’re just getting that now. I think that’s really important – the more we can share the goal scoring, the better everybody becomes.”

Team captain Mackenzie Bauer and assistant captain Mason McCarty continued to be out of the line up – the latter leads the team in scoring with 30 points in 22 games.

“We’re missing Mackenzie and Mason, and those are tough guys to replace,” MacDonald said. “I thought we did well without them; the other guys picked it up. It was a nice win.”

The Bisons’ last loss was against the Lloydminster Bobcats on Nov. 9, making them now unbeaten in 11 games. The last game they failed to win was a 0-0 against the Sherwood Park Kings, who will also be in the same pool for the Mac’s Tournament beginning Dec. 26 in Calgary. Both the Bisons and the Kings are tied with 36 points, leading the AMHL standings.

“They’re a lot like us,” MacDonald said. “They’re a fast team, and they come at you, so we have to be prepared for that – that’s the biggest thing. We have to deal with the puck very quick, and our defense has to make quick reads. It’s a little bit of a test playing that team.”

With their recent hot streak and 17-6-2 record, MacDonald feels ready for the Mac’s Tournament, but not over confident.

“We certainly feel we can win, that’s a good sign,” he said. “They know that they’re playing all the best teams.”